Blue Jackets' Bobrovsky earns 4-3 shootout win over Rangers in return from injury

New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30), of Sweden, stops a shot on the goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Columbus Blue Jackets' Cam Atkinson (13) scores on New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) during the second period Monday in New York.

NEW YORK — Sergei Bobrovsky made 40 saves through overtime and two more in the shootout in his first action in over a month, and Brandon Dubinsky had a goal and assist against his former team in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers on Monday night.

Bobrovsky stopped Mats Zuccarello and Rick Nash in the tiebreaker, and Mark Letestu and Ryan Johansen scored against Henrik Lundqvist to win it.

Nash had tied it with his second power-play goal of the night, and ninth tally this season, at 6:55 of the third period as David Savard served a penalty for delay of game.

Defenseman James Wisniewski also had a goal and assist, and Cam Atkinson scored on a second-period breakaway to help the Blue Jackets win for the second time in five games.

Bobrovsky shined in his return from a 14-game absence caused by a strained groin. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner had been out since Dec. 3 but showed no rust in a matchup with Lundqvist — the Vezina winner in 2012.

The Rangers came away with a point because of Nash, acquired in the deal that sent Dubinsky to Columbus in 2012. Brian Boyle cut the deficit to 3-2 at 4:53 of the third, and Lundqvist made 36 saves through overtime for New York, which had won three of four on the road before returning home.

The game took a noticeable turn just 21 seconds into the second period when Rangers forward Chris Kreider drove Columbus defenseman Fedor Tyutin into the left-wing boards with a shoulder-to-shoulder hit that left Tyutin down on his stomach. Dubinsky skated over to challenge Kreider, but a fight didn’t ensue.

Kreider was given a major penalty for boarding and was ejected. Dubinsky received a minor penalty for roughing. Tyutin left the bench soon after and didn’t return to the game.

With the teams skating 4-on-4, Atkinson stole the puck from defenseman Anton Stralman at the New York blue line, and raced alone the other way. He received little resistance from Stralman and beat Lundqvist between the pads to restore Columbus’ lead at 2-1.

Columbus didn’t take further advantage of the three-minute power play they received when Dubinsky left the box. However, he made his mark later in the period.

Just 27 seconds after Columbus killed a penalty, Dubinsky made a perfect pass from the left-wing boards across the Rangers zone to a streaking Wisniewski on the right side. Wisniewski fired a rising shot that got past Lundqvist under the crossbar to make it 3-1 with 3:13 left in the second.

Bobrovsky stopped 15 shots in each of the first two periods. He denied Brad Richards at the right post with his pads when Richards took a pair of whacks at a loose puck. Benoit Pouliot was stopped earlier in the period on a breakaway during a power play.

Nash tied it 1-1 when he snapped a rising wrist shot from the left circle that caromed in off the left post with 52.8 seconds left in the first.

Dubinsky had staked Columbus to a 1-0 lead with 2:53 remaining when Wisniewski’s shot hit him in the leg and deflected in.

NOTES: Newly acquired forward Daniel Carcillo didn’t make his Rangers debut. ... Boyle scored for the second time in two games after going 27 games without a goal. ... Nash was selected by Columbus with the No. 1 pick in the 2002 draft. ... Dubinsky has a goal and two assists in three games vs. New York. ... The 43 shots were the most allowed by Columbus this season.