The Columbus Blue Jackets hit the ice in Nationwide Arena on Monday night to take on the Vegas Golden Knights. As we approached the trade deadline, the Jackets elected not to hold anyone out for “trade related reasons.” Here’s how the team lined up:
Here’s what happened.
First Period
The Blue Jackets opened the game well, earning the opening goal just 6:16 into the game Justin Danforth beat Adin Hill with a left-circle shot.
Columbus goal (1-0): Danforth from Kuraly and Werenski, 6:16
The Jackets then went down a skater as Cole Sillinger was boxed for hooking, but the Jackets penalty kill was able to hold them Knights scoreless and kill the penalty. Just over halfway through the period, Alex Nylander doubled the Jackets’ lead following a nice pass from Alexandre Texier.
Columbus goal (2-0): Nylander from Texier and Provorov, 13:11
In the dying minutes of the first, the Knights got one back behind an effort from Mason Morelli.
Las Vegas goal (2-1): Morelli from Froese, 17:19
Just under a minute later, William Karlsson leveled the game.
Las Vegas goal (2-2): Karlsson from Stephenson and Hague, 18:01
After 20 minutes that the Jackets largely held the lead, they found themselves tied at two.
Second Period
The second period opened with Vegas continuing their pressure from late in the first – much of the opening part of the period was spent in the Columbus zone, but Daniil Tarasov was able to maintain his composure and keep the puck out of the net.
Through the middle part of the period, the Jackets found their footing and nearly drew even in shots on goal, but Vegas was able to keep the game level. Johnny Gaudreau and Kirill Marchenko were among the Jackets who had decent chances but were unable to capitalize.
The Jackets earned their first power play with 8:04 remaining in the second, but the Jackets never successfully set up in the offensive zone, an easy kill for the Knights.
In the dying minutes of the second period, the Jackets entered the zone and Erik Gudbranson let a slap shot go that beat Hill under the crossbar on his far post. The two Vegas defensemen collapsed on Johnny Gaudreau, giving Gudbranson the space.
Columbus goal (3-2): Gudbranson from Gaudreau and Jenner, 17:21
Third Period
The Jackets opened the third period on the front foot and were able to take advantage as a rush from Cole Sillinger led to him finding Alex Nylander who beat Hill to give Columbus a 4-2 lead.
Columbus goal (4-2): Nylander from Sillinger, 3:23
Vegas began to pressure Columbus through the middle part of the period and finally, after a long shift in the defensive zone, the Knights capitalized as Chandler Stephenson hammered home a cross-ice pass.
Las Vegas goal (4-3): Stephenson from Theodore and Amadio, 10:16
After a bad defensive zone turnover by Vegas, Yegor Chinakhov found himself alone in the slot and he picked out the top corner and lasered it past Hill to restore the 2 goal lead.
Columbus goal (5-3): Chinakhov from Marchenko and Bean, 11:20
The Blue Jackets went out the power play with 7:41 to go as Cotter for Vegas was penalized for “illegal equipment.” Vegas was able to again kill the Columbus penalty with ease.
Vegas pulled hill with three minutes to go and with 1:11 to go, Alex Nylander put the puck into the empty net on a rush to complete his hat trick and put this one away.
Columbus goal (6-3): Nylander from Texier, 18:49
Final
Columbus Blue Jackets 6 Vegas Golden Knights 3
Final Thoughts
Erik Gudbranson how has a career high 18 points this season, just like we all expected.
Stick taps to Alex Nylander for scoring a hat trick and pushing his stat line to 4-2-6 in the last 3 games. His first career hat trick in 16:08 of ice time.
Cole Sillinger has a four game point streak as well.
The wave should not exist.
Back to back wins for the club for the first time since November. The Jackets will look to win three in a row for the first time since March 16, 2022.
Up Next
The Columbus Blue Jackets are back in action tomorrow night as they hit the road to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET.