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Nash's third-period goals get Jackets by Rangers

Dec 12, 2010 - 7:12 AM Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Rick Nash scored two third-period goals to lift the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 3-1 victory over the New York Rangers.

Antoine Vermette also scored for the Blue Jackets, who won for just the second time in their last eight games. Steve Mason made 32 saves in net for the victory.

Marc Staal scored the only New York goal as the Rangers lost for the second time in three games. Henrik Lundqvist allowed three goals on 23 shots in defeat.

The game was nearly half over when Staal tallied on a power play to open the scoring midway through the second period. He swept into the slot and beat Mason with a quick shot that was set up by Ruslan Fedotenko from behind the net.

Columbus tied the game about six minutes later, also on a power play, when Vermette jammed one in from in front of Lundqvist.

Nash won the game for Columbus in the third, giving his team a 2-1 lead with 5:09 remaining on a wrister from an impossible angle to Lundqvist's left. The New York netminder was unable to shift fast enough to keep out the puck.

Lundqvist was bested again by the Columbus forward less than four minutes later.

Nash, tipping a puck past two Rangers defenders, caught Lundqvist as he was leaving the ice for an extra attacker. Lundqvist scrambled back, but was in no position to be able to fend off Nash's deke to the backhand, which he easily slipped into the net.

Lundqvist said it was a tough way to end the game.

"The last one, I might as well have stayed on the bench. I don't know where the net is or anything," said Lundqvist. "He made me look pretty stupid there."

Mason made 12 saves and Lundqvist had eight during a scoreless first period.

Game Notes

The Blue Jackets have won two of three on the heels of a five-game slide...Columbus was 1-for-2 on the power play, while New York scored once in its five chances with an extra attacker...Columbus has won two of its last three games in Manhattan.