Rangers finally get secondary scoring and snap slump with 7-4 win

Sean Avery scores two goals to help NY beat Columbus (AP Photo).

In the final game of a three-game homestand, the New York Rangers were in danger of dropping all three games at Madison Square Garden and losing their fourth-straight game at home.

Monday night's matchup between the Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets got off to a quick start, that saw five first period goals. It was Columbus that struck first, netting two almost-identical goals from the slot that took the Rangers fans quickly out of the game.

Jared Boll's goal promted Rangers head coach John Tortorella to slow the Blue Jackets down by calling a first period timeout.

Whatever Tortorella said during the timeout had worked, as the Rangers' offense exploded and scored a total of seven unanswered goals, taking a commanding lead.

The duo of Marian Gaborik and Vinny Prospal started the Rangers' rally.

Prospal setup Gaborik with a backhand pass from behind the net and Gaborik (two goals, two assists) snuck a quick wrist shot past Steve Mason to give the Rangers fans some hope.

Artem Anisimov would then net the Rangers' first goal in 212:19 that was from someone besides Gaborik or Prospal.

The secondary scoring that has been missing ever since the Rangers' seven game win streak had come to an end, finally erupted.

Michael Del Zotto finished the first period off with a dazzling skating ability, stickhandling by two defenders before beating Mason with a hard wrister.

The Rangers would add three quick goals during the second period in the span of just 1:11, as Sean Avery scored two goals and Gaborik netted his second of the game.

As the Rangers chased Mason from the game, Mathieu Garon (Mason's replacement) allowed goals on the first two shots that he faced.

Though the Blue Jackets brought the game within three in the third period, it was too little too late as the Rangers skated to a 7-4 victory.