Lundqvist makes 35 saves in Rangers’ 2-1 win over Jackets

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Marc Staal and Chris Kreider both scored and Henrik Lundqvist made 35 saves to lead the New York Rangers to a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night.

Derek Stepan, who was a game-time decision to play due to an upper-body injury, had two assists.

Columbus' Sergei Bobrovsky matched Lundqvist save for save until the Rangers ended a lengthy scoring drought - they'd been shut out 3-0 in their last two starts - in the second period.

Scott Hartnell had the goal for the Blue Jackets, who have dropped four in a row while being outscored 15-7 after collecting points in 13 of 15 games. Ryan Johansen extended his personal- and franchise-record points streak to 12 games with an assist (7-7-14). It's the longest such streak in the NHL this season.

The Rangers finally found some offense after a scoreless first period.

They ended a scoreless drought of 146:59 when Staal converted on a rebound off a shot from the left circle by Stepan at 5:59 of the period. They had not scored since Nash tallied on an empty-netter with 1 minute left in a 3-1 win at San Jose on Jan. 10.

Just 4:11 later, they scored again.

Stepan triggered the goal with a nifty stretch pass to Kreider, all alone behind the defense, who faked to his forehand before slipping a backhand just past Bobrovsky's outstretched left toe at the post.

The Blue Jackets got on the board at 3:16 of the third. Bobrovsky made a spectacular save on a redirect, with Ryan Johansen then connecting with Hartnell on a long pass. Hartnell beat Lundqvist high on the glove side.

Bobrovsky picked up the second assist.

Lundqvist stymied Johansen on repeated whacks at a loose puck in the crease with just under 6 minutes left.

It appeared the Rangers got a break late. Bobrovsky deflected a high pass by Mats Zuccarello for Klein with 1:26 left in regulation. The puck glanced off the right leg of Hartnell and bounced into the net. It was ruled a no-goal on the ice and a video review was inconclusive whether Klein had contacted the puck with a high stick.

Bobrovsky stood tall as the Rangers swarmed with seven shots on their first power play, and also gloved Dominic Moore's shot after Tanner Glass' steal in the opening period.

Lundqvist, playing can-you-top-this, stopped Cam Atkinson in close after a New York giveaway early in the game, then twice turned away Johansen, first on a wrister and then point-blank off a loose puck, in a span of a few seconds.

NOTES: The Rangers played the second game of a three-game road trip; the Blue Jackets start one at Boston on Saturday. ... The NHL has announced that Fall Out Boy (first intermission), O.A.R. (second intermission) and Locksley (player introductions) will provide the musicial entertainment for the All-Star Game in Nationwide Arena on Jan. 25. ... Columbus LW Matt Calvert (illness) was also a game-time decision but played. ... As has been the case ever since he tangled with Bobrovsky last season, former Blue Jackets captain Nash was booed lustily every time he touched the puck. ... The Rangers have earned at least a point in 13 of their last 14 against fellow members of the Metropolitan Division (12-1-1).

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