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Game #43 Recap: Jet Greaves nearly shuts out St. Louis

Jan 11, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves (73) defends the net against the St. Louis Blues during the second period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

The Columbus Blue Jackets began a win streak by beating the St. Louis Blues at Nationwide Arena a week ago, then followed that up with a win at Pittsburgh and back home against Seattle. Tonight’s rematch win in St. Louis extended the streak to 4 games, the longest of the season so far.

First Period

The Jackets got out to a great start and largely dominated possession in the opening frame.

In the final five minutes, the Jackets drew first blood and of course it came from the red hot top line. Normally Dmitri Voronkov wrecks havoc in front of the net, but this time he won a puck battle in the corner and made a great pass to Kirill Marchenko in the slot. Marchy had the attention of Jordan Binnington and the Blues defense, but passed instead of shooting and Adam Fantilli had a wide open net. He wasn’t expecting the pass, but he had the reflexes to react quickly.

Whether it’s Voronkov or Yegor Chinakhov on the opposite wing, or whether it’s Sean Monahan or Fantilli at center, it’s clearly Marchenko that stirs the drink here. He’s so locked in this season and he make the team better when he’s on the ice.

Second Period

The Blues got some push to start the period before the Jackets responded. Late in the period, the first penalty was called. The first unit got some looks as always, but it was the second unit (which we haven’t seen as much of recently) that got the goal. More importantly: rookies Denton Mateychuk and Luca Del Bel Belluz got the opportunity to play on this unit.

LDBB won a puck battle in the corner and got the puck to James Van Riemsdyk behind the net. JVR passed to Cole Sillinger (back after missing a game to illness) on the doorstep for the insurance goal.

https://twitter.com/BlueJacketsNHL/status/1878253563022807352

Third Period

Commenter dskribes put it best, describing the third period as one long Blues power play. In all situations they had a 29-9 lead in shot attempts. I don’t necessarily think the Jackets took their foot off the gas; rather it was the Blues who played with urgency in an attempt to erase a two goal deficit at home.

This is where Jet Greaves stepped up big time and made big save after big save. The penalty kill made nice plays too, but it was mostly Jet.

Two minutes after the Blues first pulled Jordan Binnington, Zach Werenski dived in an attempt to spring the puck for a Sillinger empty net attempt, but he tripped Jordan Kyrou as he fell. The kill mostly held on but Colton Parayko got a rebound goal in the slot with just 10 seconds left.

Final Thoughts

It’s too bad that Greaves couldn’t get the shutout, because he definitely deserved it. He saved nearly 2 goals above expected in this one. Let’s enjoy some more highlights:

Zach Aston-Reese left the game in the third period with an upper body injury after blocking a shot. Curse of 27?

While LDBB still had a few nice plays tonight, his underlying numbers were not good. On Thursday he got to play on the alphabet line with KJ and JVR. Cole Sillinger’s return meant LDBB moved down with ZAR and Mathieu Olivier. They got dominated at 5v5, with Jim Montgomery sending a steady diet of the top two lines against them.

This game was simulcast on ABC6 in Columbus, and on other broadcast channels throughout Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. I’m glad more people have a chance to see this team on TV, and it’s good that they got to see a win.

Up in Cleveland, the Other Sillinger returned after making his NHL debut on Thursday and got the OT winner over Laval. Daniil Tarasov rebounded from a rough Monsters debut with just one goal allowed tonight.

Up Next

The Jackets return home to host the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday at 7. Can they extend the streak to five games?

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