Game 28 Recap: Chicago 2 - Columbus 1 (SO)

The Jackets were in for a tough test against the Blackhawks. They were looking to set a record for consecutive games with a point at nine, and though they didn't get the result they wanted (deserved) the streak continues!

First Period Notes:

• Columbus gave the start to their top cop, Office Bobrovsky. Chicago countered with Corey Crawford.
  
• Bob was tested early, when Chicago got a chance in-close. Naturally, Bob shut the door. He was tested on a few occasions, but held the 'Hawks off the scoresheet.
  
• The Jackets are slowly getting healthier, with Artem Anisimov returning to the lineup. He started the game centering the fourth line. This has been a common maneuver for the coaching staff when players return from injury- it's better to ease them in. Arty is a huge part of this team going forward, we want to make sure he's 100%.
• You can't help but love the play of the Atkinvert twins. They are always buzzing around the opposition net, whether with the puck or on the forecheck. When they do have the puck, you better believe that a scoring chance will develop. What a treat it has been to watch these guys together.
  
• Speaking of the twins, one of them got into a decent scrap with Andrew Shaw. It was timed quite well by Matt, and he gave the guys some life, and gave Shaw the business in the meantime.
  
• The other one made a boo boo late in the period, when on a 2-on-1, elected to pass rather than shoot. It was intercepted. Love that you were being unselfish Cam, but you are a shooter bro!
• Way too many Chicago sweaters in the crowd. I never understood why it's always voted the nicest sweater in hockey. Red? Yuck.
  
• Score after the first: 0-0
  

Second Period Notes:

• If you caught the home broadcast, Derek Dorsett joined Billy and Rims in the booth for the middle period. In addition to sharing his thoughts on his teammates, he added in some pretty funny shots on Rims. All in all, quite entertaining. Though, why did he chuckle when Billy mentioned Johansen?
  
• The Jackets went down a man early in the period when Colton Gillies tripped up Marian Hossa. The CBJ were perfect on the kill, even going as far as taking it to the 'Hawks in their end with a couple of shorthanded scoring chances. Calvert was excellent, again.
  
• The period was like a lot of second periods this season- a lot of back-n-forth, with few notable moments, but I can say this- the Jackets do not look intimidated out there. They are focused, and committed to a plan. They play like they can beat anybody, and have been doing just that.
  
• Chicago broke the gooseegg off the stick of Johnny Oduya. After a slick pass from d-bag Kane, Oduya pinched up and fired one past Bob, who never saw it.
  
• Moments after the Chicago goal, the Jackets earned a powerplay. While up a man, Jack Mother Loving Johnson tied 'er up with a one-time blast from just pash the hashmarks. Derick Brassard won the faceoff, and Brandon Dubinsky flicked the puck over to open space, where JJ walked into a blast. Tie game kids.
  
• Score after the second: 1-1
  

Third Period Notes:

• After a turnover early in the period, Bob made one of his biggest saves in Union Blue,diving to his left to rob the Blackhawk shooter. More Bob awesome, NBD.
  
• I can't say enough about how seamlessly Cody Goloubef, Dalton Prout and Tim Erixon have fit into the defense. Prout has been especially impressive for me.
  
• Submitted without comment: Sergei Bobrovsky.
• Arty was given a shot higher in the lineup late in the game, seeing some time on a line with Brass and Calvert. The trio looked dangerous. They could be on to something here, but I hate to see the Atkinvert twins not playing together.
  
• The Jackets went on the powerplay late in the game after Viktor Stalberg was whistled for goalie interference. (Hey Stalberg- you didn't score on us tonight! Nya nya, nya-nya-nya) The Jackets couldn't score, so off to free hockey it went.
  

OT Notes:

Ok, so what more is there left to say about Bob? He's been great. We know that. That said, he took it too a whole n'utha level in OT, making a diving save off of David Bolland to keep the game knotted at one apiece. You'll see it in the highlights.
The five minutes of OT tonight was some of the best hockey I've ever seen. The action was end-to-end, and the pace was furious. It was a shame that neither team could win it in traditional fashion.
Shootout:

Columbus: Artem Anisimov - GOAL (His patented backhander)

Chicago: Jonathan Toews - GOAL

Columbus: Ryan Johansen - SAVE

Chicago: Patrick Kane - GOAL (D-Bag)

Columbus: Derick Brassard - SAVE

Final Score: 2-1 Blackhawks (SO)

Standard Bearers:

1) Bob, of course.

2) The Jackets, as a team. Franchise record nine-game points streak. 5-0-4 in their last nine games.

3) Calvert was doing it all again tonight. A scrap, creating things offensively, excellent on the PK...you name it.

Bottom of the Barrel:

1) Too many Chicago sweaters taking up space in Nationwide.

2) Patrick Kane.

3) When your morning duke takes more than three minutes because you're at a poker table with rookies in smartphone poker, and you just keep winning.

The Jackets return to action on Saturday, against the Phoenix Coyotes.