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Game #45 Recap: Blue Jackets stretch streak to six by smashing Sharks

Jan 16, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets react after defenseman Damon Severson (78) scored a goal in the second period at Nationwide Arena on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. Mandatory Credit: Samantha Madar/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

On a night where Nationwide Arena celebrated Ohio State theme night and the 5th Line rushed to pre-order the Stadium Series jerseys, the Columbus Blue Jackets won their sixth straight game with a (mostly) dominant performance over the San Jose Sharks.

First Period

The Jackets got off on the right foot and controlled the game early. Even when the Sharks got a power play, the Jackets got better chances.

The Jackets drew first blood just past the halfway mark. Zach Werenski showed both the offensive and defense sides of his Norris case as he got a turnover in the defensive end, then took the puck himself all the way up the ice. Adam Fantilli rushed to keep up and was well-positioned in the slot to receive Werenski’s pass and send it past Alexandar Georgiev.

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That extends a seven game point streak for Fantilli, and also makes it 18 straight home games with a point for Werenski, which continues to put him in rare company among NHL defensemen all-time.

Later in the period, Kent Johnson and Sean Kuraly worked together on the forecheck (late in Johnson’s shift and early in Kuraly’s). KJ made first contact behind the goal line, but Kuraly won his puck battle and got the puck towards the middle of the ice. He passed back to KJ on the back end for the goal.

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13-6 shot advantage after 20.

Second Period

The Jackets continued to control possession in the second period. A perfect example came on this sequence, where KJ got hit in the face with friendly fire but the Jackets didn’t lose possession, and KJ was able to stay in the game and contribute on the play. Damon Severson took a long range shot that James van Riemsdyk was able to deflect from the slot.

The Jackets got their first power play opportunity after a high sticking call on Tyler Toffoli. The second unit (featuring recent call-ups Denton Mateychuk and Luca Del Bel Belluz) had a great shift and moved the puck well. No score there, but a good sign for the future.

Denton Mateychuk went to the box for holding and the Sharks had a better power play than their first attempt. They got plenty of shot attempts, but the kill did an effective job of clogging the home plate area, so none of those attempts made it on net.

A couple of turnovers in the final minute eventually led to Kent Johnson holding Fabian Zetterlund. The Jackets were able to kill the clock on the delayed penalty, but that meant the third period would begin with a full two minute power play.

That being said, the Jackets allowed just two shots on goal in the second period, so had to feel pretty good about that.

Third Period

Luckily the Sharks didn’t convert on that power play, and Zach Aston-Reese had a nice shorthanded breakaway attempt. Georgiev had to come way out of the crease to challenge him.

The shutout bid ended after a key offensive zone faceoff win for the Sharks. It seems like maybe there was some miscommunication by the Jackets, as both KJ and JVR made way to the top of the zone, ready for an outlet pass. This left the other skaters outnumbered as Ivan Provorov and Cole Sillinger battled along the right boards and only Mateychuk was left to cover the middle of the ice. Toffoli was able to take position behind the rookie and score easily. JVR needed to get back quicker to help out. He’s not even in the shot when the first assist pass is made.

JVR did make up for that with an empty net goal to seal the game with two minutes left.

Final Thoughts

The Jackets are now in the first wild card spot in the East, and suddenly are just 5 points back of Carolina for third place in the Metro.

Elvis Merzlikins hadn’t played in a week. If he had any rust, he had little opportunity to shake it off in the first two periods. He did his job in the third period however, and finished the night with a .947 save percentage and just one goal allowed against 1.97 expected. Credit to the defense for helping him out and getting bodies in the slot to keep most of the shot attempts for not getting on net. 27 Sharks shot attempts were blocked and another 11 went wide.

Sean Kuraly was more noticeable tonight than he had been for awhile. His line had a 75 CF% at 5v5, and he was above 90% through the first two periods.

Another refreshing performance came from Damon Severson. He had a 61.54 CF% and was on ice for 3 goals for and none against. He took the coaching instruction to heart and didn’t try to do too much in the defensive zone. He kept it simple and got the puck up ice. In the neutral zone and offensive zone, his skill with the puck fits the system well and he helped create opportunities.

The top line got another goal, but their possession numbers were poor. They got a heavy dose of our old friend Alex Wennberg, and he’s still an excellent defensive forward.

Speaking of the top line, Fantilli and Voronkov split faceoffs tonight. Voronkov was 3/6 while Fantilli was 2/7. Both are left-handed shooters, so it’s not just a matter of splitting sides. This may be something to keep an eye on.

Up Next

Now the Jackets embark on a four game road trip, and a total of eight road games in the next nine. It begins on Saturday night in Manhattan against the Rangers.

Talking Points