Every game feels like a must win, but this one feels like a “please just score” game. Can Jet and the reunited globe trotters deliver the Jackets from woe?
First Period
Some early life from both teams in this one. Fantilli looked to make a mark on his first shift with a nice dangle through a defender but Allen made the stop, a sign of things to come. The Devils generated three good looks early on some CBJ turnovers in the defensive zone but each one missed the net. Mateychuk took the first penalty of the game 8 minutes in. The Devils created a decent flurry early on but Jet was up to the task. Once the PK got a clear they quashed the rest of the penalty, frustrating the NJ entry attempts.
The remainder of the period had consistent back and forth play but no goals. After one period the Jackets held the lead in shots 8-5, but this was mainly a result of the Devils missing the net 6 times, in addition to seven more shots blocked by the Jackets The color commentary credited the Jackets’ defense with a good structure but New Jersey must’ve also been scared of Jet.
Second Period
Both teams continued to create some decent pressure in the second period with each goalie looking good. Momentum seemed to be turning towards Columbus after a few good shifts from the top line and even a nice shift from the fourth line. Unfortunately, a failed dump in turned into a Timo Meier rush, who got behind a flat footed Fabbro and beat the failed poke check of Jet to open the scoring.
NYJ Goal 0-1: Meier (Noesen, Hischier) 13:35
Not long after that goal, Jet Greaves went behind the net to gather the puck but it took a bounce off the wall and jet redirected it right into Bratt who extended the lead.
NYJ Goal 0-2: Bratt ((jet)Dumoulin, Glass ) 14:14
Columbus struggled to regain momentum for a bit after this one but did a few isolated chances did make Allen have to work late in the period.
Prior to the goals against, Columbus had mounted a sizable lead in shots and shot attempts but that total waned as the period came to an end. CBJ lead in shots
Third Period
Score effects or no, the third period was all Jackets. Columbus led in shot attempts 42-6, shots on goal 19-3 and scoring chances 21-5. Coming into the period, the xG at all situations were almost even around 1 xG per side. At the end of the period the Jackets led in xG 3.87 – 1.3.
Jake Allen was the story of the third. The UFA is a having a good season with four shutouts and halfway through the period it was seeming like he might get his fifth. The Blue Jackets got their first chance on the power play 11 minutes in when Voronkov was held by Lazar. It was not a tremendous display of power play potency but shortly after the man advantage ended, ZAR pushed the puck into the slot where Olivier found it to finally score.
CBJ Goal 1-2: Olivier (Danforth, Aston-Reese) 13:24
Despite getting one goal, more did not follow. Allen stood tall and the Jackets lost another opportunity to improve their playoff standing.
Final Thoughts
The shutout streak is finally over, but not the losing streak. Columbus came into this one and played a much better brand of hockey. New Jersey was able to create some chances but the flow of play favored the home team. Unfortunately, a miserable minute in the second period doomed them. The positive to takeaway is that the Jackets played dominant offensive hockey in the third and can take that momentum into their next game against Florida.
The reunited Russian top line generated some chances but did not dominate this game, and most of that is because they faced the Jesper Bratt line. Bratt was a force to behold in this game and his line crushed the top two lines in the first 2 periods. The new 2nd line with Fantilli in the middle seemed to have some more offensive success but also gave it back the other way a little more. The Olivier line was statistically the strongest one the evening and of course he was the one to get the first goal in forever for Columbus. Nothing much seems to happen when the 4th line is on the ice.
Needing offense in the third Evason turned to Severson more. He was frequently paired with Werenski while Fabbro rotated a bit with Mateychuk next to Provorov. Mateychuk played less than 14 minutes, and Johnson near 10 minutes in this game chasing from behind. I like that we have a coach who knows how to shorten the bench when chasing a lead but it’s telling of what the staff thinks of Mateychuk at the moment.
Jet Greaves was solid in this game, it’s unfortunate the game ultimately came down to a misplayed bounce of the wall.
Up Next
The Blue Jackets welcome back Florida Seth and Bob on Thursday at 7 PM.