NHL NEWS FEB 14 – RANGERS CREATE LOG JAM IN TIGHT EASTERN CONFERENCE

Columbus tied the game in the third period, but Jimmy Vesey netted the game-winner just 1:35 later as the Rangers earned their sixth straight victory and improved to 8-1-0 in their last nine road contests.

New York (37-18-1, 75 points) moved into a tie – in terms of points – with Pittsburgh (34-13-7, 75 points) and Columbus (35-15-5, 75 points) for second place in the Eastern Conference.

Vesey’s goal was his fourth game-winning goal of the season, tied for second among rookies with Patrik Laine and Mitchell Marner. Only Auston Matthews (6) has more such tallies.

J.T. Miller earned an assist to extend his point streak to seven games (2-9—11), matching his career-high set earlier this season from Dec. 29 – Jan. 14 (5-5—10 in 7 GP). Miller leads the Rangers with 18-28—46 this season, establishing career highs in both assists and points.

NHL NEWS AND MUSINGS

• Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby unveiled a You Can Play themed mask, which will be auctioned off in support of Hockey Is For Everyone
• The Capitals held a hockey clinic and the Flames hosted 10 new Canadians as part of Hockey Is For Everyone month
• Wild forward Jason Pominville, Blues goaltender Jake Allen and Predators forward Viktor Arvidsson were named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week
• The NHL unveiled original portraits of Johnny Bucyk and Glenn Hall, two of the 100 Greatest NHL Players presented by Molson Canadian.

MONDAY’S NHL RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
NY Rangers 3, COLUMBUS 2
Arizona 5, CALGARY 0

TUESDAY’S NHL ACTION
All Times Eastern
Colorado @ New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Vancouver @ Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
NY Islanders @ Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Buffalo @ Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.
Anaheim @ Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Dallas @ Winnipeg, 8 p.m.
Arizona @ Edmonton, 9 p.m.