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Columbus, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Rick Nash's return to Columbus was a successful one for him and the New York Rangers.

The Rangers scored three times in the third period of Friday's 3-1 win over the Blue Jackets.

There was much hype surrounding Nash's first game as a visitor at Nationwide Arena, but the contest also had playoff implications.

With the win, the Rangers moved into third place in the Metropolitan Division, two points ahead of Columbus and one behind second-place Philadelphia. The Blue Jackets, however, have played one fewer game.

Henrik Lundqvist made 25 saves for New York, which has won three of its last four games.

Sergei Bobrovsky turned away 29 shots in the Blue Jackets' third loss in five games.