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Bjorkstrand’s goal, Korpisalo’s shutout stop Senators’ streak

Posted on by William Chase

Following their 4-3 loss to the Jets over the weekend in Winnipeg, the Blue Jackets returned home Monday evening looking to cash in with their fourth win in five games.

Anthony Duclair made his return back to Columbus to face his former squad, as his Senators came rolling high into town. At the very bottom of the NHL standings a season ago, Ottawa came in on this night with a three-game winning streak, and victories in five of their last six games.

Both teams looked to get over .500 with a win at Nationwide Arena, and it was the home team that was able to climb above that mark. Joonas Korpisalo made all 25 saves and Oliver Bjorkstrand scored his sixth goal of the season as the Jackets shutout the Senators 1-0.

The game started out with each team playing to a brisk pace, and the Senators, particularly, looking to get the puck in deep early and often.

One of the Jackets’ early scoring chances came when Ryan Murray set up a home run play with a laser feed up the middle to create a 2-on-1 scoring chance. Bjorkstand was on the other end, who received and passed the puck to Boone Jenner, but Jenner met the post with his shot.

Joonas Korpisalo made his presence felt on this night, and Thomas Chabot was of whom felt that. Inside the final minute, the Senators came in on a 4-on-1 and the goalie made the glove save on Chabot.

Cam Atkinson, still looking for his first goal at 5v5 this season, had maybe his best chance all year. Starting as part of a 3-on-1 in the second period featuring Nick Foligno and Zach Werenski, Atkinson came up empty in the end as he looked to get the puck across the crease. Yet, the puck got away as he lost control and the scoring chance was thwarted.

The Senators were held without a shot on their lone power play of the second period, and  again later in the third. Meanwhile, the Jackets were outshot 7-2 more than halfway through the second, and the Sens held the game edge 16-13 through 40.

With each team held scoreless entering the third period, the Jackets conceivably had things where they wanted it. At least, it was familiar.

Coming into the game, Columbus was 5-1-3 when tied after two periods on the season. And right one cue, 21 seconds into the third period, Bjorkstrand and the Jackets answered with a tally for the games’ first goal.

Jenner won the faceoff, Werenski corralled and fired the puck, and Bjorkstrand was there for the tip-in for his sixth goal of the season. He’s now riding a four-game points streak, and Werenski’s assist extends his points streak to seven games.

Columbus’ power play, which came in 7-for-15 over the past four games, and 11th overall in the league, looked more like the unit that we’ve seen struggle. They went 0-for-3 on the night and Ottawa had two scoring opportunities on the Jackets’ third power play — 2-on-1 and 1-on-0 rush — that were stifled in the third.

On the second Senators power play later in the third period, Atkinson had a breakaway chance but nothing doing there. While Cam’s 5v5 goal will have to come another day, the lone tally of the game was enough to stand up, as Korpisalo earned his second career shutout and first of the season. The Blue Jackets are on a four-game home winning streak.

Columbus will be in action Wednesday night when the Metro division rival Flyers skate into town for a 7:00 pm tilt.

Additional Notes

Seth Jones led the Jackets in ice-time (24:16). Thomas Chabot had a game-high 26:21 ice-time. Oliver Bjorkstand had a team-high four shots. Brady Tkachuk and Jean-Gabriel Pageau each had four shots. Columbus has scored the first goal of the game in eight-consecutive games.

Talking Points