NEW YORK (AP) — Artemi Panarin scored in the shootout and the Blue Jackets clinched the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers.
The Blue Jackets, 8-2-2 in their past 12 games, secured their third straight playoff berth and hold the second wild card in the Eastern Conference.
Panarin put the Jackets ahead 2-1 with 5:33 remaining in the third, but the Rangers extended the game on a goal by Pavel Buchnevich with under seven seconds left in regulation.
Ryan Dzingel also scored in the third period against Alexander Georgiev, who turned back 39 shots.
The outcome puts the Blue Jackets in the postseason for the third straight year and eliminates the Montreal Canadiens. Columbus will take on either Tampa Bay or Washington in the first round.