Chris Kreider scores twice, Rangers look sharp in shutout win over Blue Jackets

If Monday’s game was a sour way to open a homestand, Friday’s game was a sweet way to close one.

The Rangers put together their best, most complete performance of the season Friday in a 4-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden. They won on the strength of a 60-minute effort with contributions from all parts of their lineup, another stalwart performance by Igor Shesterkin in goal and even a major contribution from their slumping power play, which connected for two third-period goals.

The win, their first at home this season, gave the Rangers a split of the two-game home-stand as they head out for their second four-game road trip of the season beginning Sunday in Seattle.

Coach Gerard Gallant, who had been so disappointed in his team’s effort after Monday’s 5-1 loss to Calgary, was quite pleased after this one.

"I thought we managed the puck really well,’’ he said. "I didn’t think we turned it over nearly as much in the neutral zone as we did [against the Flames]. Our forecheck was a lot better, and I just thought we had 20 guys ready to play tonight. And that was a big thing.

"We talked about ‘you know, it’s eight games in the season. Now we’ve got to play a more complete game than we played in the past.’ I thought tonight’s game was the most complete we’ve played.’’

Two power-play goals by Chris Kreider, three assists each by Adam Fox and Artemi Panarin, and goals by Ryan Strome and Alexis Lafreniere powered the offense. Shesterkin kicked out 31 shots to earn his third career shutout as the Rangers improved to 5-2-1.

"I think a good start obviously helps you come out strong, and it helps feed you and helps you the whole game,’’ said Fox, who played a magnificent two-way game. "And I just think we played smart. The second period was maybe a little more run-and-gun than we would have liked, but . . . we got pucks behind them and we have players who can play well in the offensive zone.

"And, you know, when you get saves from Igor, it’s always a helpful thing.’’

With Kaapo Kakko returning from injured reserve after missing four games with an upper-body injury, Gallant had their top six forwards healthy for the first time in more than two weeks, and the Rangers looked the best they have this season.

Kakko and his linemates, Strome and Panarin, were jumping all night, controlling the puck against the young Blue Jackets and producing scoring chances early in the first period.

The Rangers took a 2-0 lead in the period on goals by Strome at 12:29 and Lafreniere at 15:31, then peppered Columbus (4-3) in the middle period. Kreider scored his first goal of the game at 1:19 of the third to make it 3-0. His second goal and sixth of the season came on a four-on-three power play at 11:23.

The Rangers entered the game with three goals in their first 26 power-play chances (11.5%) but were 2-for-3 on Friday.

Before the game, Gallant downplayed the power play’s struggles. Afterward, he conceded that it was nice to see the extra-man unit have a little success.

"Yeah, for them it means a lot, there’s no doubt,’’ he said. "You can show the good clips and that, but when it doesn’t go in the net, it doesn’t count. So tonight, they get those two by Kreids and . . . hopefully it’ll be confidence for them and they keep moving on.’’

By Colin Stephenson

colin.stephenson@newsday.comColinSNewsday

Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.