The Jackets were in Los Angeles to open up a six-game West Coast Road Trip. They wanted to get off to a strong start against a struggling Kings squad, but turnovers and an anemic powerplay led to a Kings victory.
First Period Notes:
- Columbus started Sergei Bobrovsky in net, while the Kings countered with Jonathan Bernier. For Bernier, it was his first back-to-back start in two years. This guy needs to get out of LA.
- Adrian Aucoin returned to the lineup, and was paired with Jack Johnson. Aucoin took the usual spot of James Wisniewski, who remained in Columbus awaiting the birth of his child. I feel far more at ease with Aucoin in the lineup. He seems to slow plays down, and is so steady. For Johnson, it was his first game in Los Angeles since his trade from the Kings to the Jackets.
- The Jackets penalty killers were called on twice in the first period, and were successful in killing the LA man advantages. Colton Gillies was called for tripping at 5:54, while Brandon Dubinsky was whistled for cross-checking at 12:48.
- The Kings dominated possession, but Bobrovsky was very good. Just when the Jackets started to get their legs under them and were starting to apply offensive pressure, they took penalties, killing momentum.
- Score after the first: 0-0.
Second Period Notes:
- The entire period was marked by sloppy play on both sides. Passes weren’t crisp, shots weren’t on-net, it was an all around ugly stretch of hockey. It’s almost like these two teams are the two worst in the Western Conference or something.
- The Jackets were the undisciplined team in the first period, but the Kings took over in the second. The Jackets were awarded three powerplays in the middle frame, but were unable to convert on any. The third penalty was for boarding, after Drew Doughty slammed Derek Dorsett into the boards. Dorsett was unhurt, but it sure looked damned ugly.
- Dorsett was OK, but the same couldn’t be said about Artem Anisimov. Early in the period, Jack Johnson blasted a point shot toward the LA net, but unfortunately for Arty he drifted into the shooting lane and was hit by the puck in the ankle area. He didn’t return.
- With just over a minute left in the period, Kyle Clifford capitalized on a Nikita Nikitin turnover at the LA blueline. Clifford skated up the left wing, and wired a shot past Bobrovsky to take the lead.
Third Period Notes:
- The period started with Jared Boll in the penalty box, after getting involved in the rough stuff after the whistle blew to end the second period. Seconds later, Fedor Tyutin was called for holding, giving the Kings a two-man advantage.
- While on the powerplay, the Kings were able to go up by two goals, when Mike Richards threw the puck on net, and it deflected off of Nikitin, past Bobrovsky. Nikitin had a very difficult game. It would not be a shock if he was a healthy scratch, with John Moore healthy.
- The play was sloppy for both teams again in the third period. The Jackets had a good chance midway through the period when Vinny Prospal rang one of the post.
- The Jackets had a powerplay chance late, when Justin Williams slewfoot(ed?) Tim Erixon into the endboards at speed. Erixon was OK, but it was nonetheless a dangerous play. The Jackets were unsuccessful again on the powerplay.
- With 2:25 left in regulation, the Jackets got on the board. Dubinsky fed Johnson the puck, and the former King carried the puck into the offensive zone. Johnson slid the puck toward the front of the net, where Nick Foligno was there to jam it behind Bernier.
- The Jackets pulled Bobrovsky late in the game, and thought there was furious pressure by Columbus, they were unable to tie the game.
Final Score: 2-1 Kings
Standard Bearers:
1) Sergei Bobrovsky: Bob was solid, nothing he could do on the two goals that beat him.
2) The pairing of Cody Goloubef and Tim Erixon performed well.
3) Nick Foligno was a bright spot, even before the goal
Bottom of the Barrel:
1) The Columbus powerplay. Yuck.
2) Nikita Nikitin had his worst game as a Jacket, and he was directly responsible for both of LA’s goals. He’ll bounce back.
3) If we don’t find Umberger soon, we’ll have to decide who notifies his family of his disappearance.
4) The Anisimov injury sucks. Hopefully it was just a stinger.
The Jackets get right back at it tomorrow night against the Coyotes.