The Columbus Blue Jackets hit the ice in Denver on Saturday night to take on the streaking Colorado Avalanche, who had won 7 straight and 9 of 10 games going into this matchup. Here’s how the the Jackets lined up:
Saturday night marked the second of a five game road trip, the second to last road trip of the season for the Blue Jackets. Here’s what happened.
First Period
The Avalanche opened the game on the front foot, ringing an early chance off the post less than two minutes into the game as they flashed their high octane offense. Despite the Avalanche offense, it was the Blue Jackets who opened the scoring as an effective offensive zone cycle allowed Johnny Gaudreau to find Damon Severson open in the slot and he one-timed Gaudreau’s feed past Alexandar Georgiev for the early lead.
Columbus goal (1-0): Severson from Gaudreau and Jenner, 4:28
The Avalanche responded well, taking several good chances before they were able to find the equalizer that felt coming – a nice tic-tac-toe passing play from Jonathan Drouin and Arturri Lehkonen undressed Damon Severson and Zach Werenski and allowed Cale Makar an open net for his 18th of the year.
Colorado goal (1-1): Makar from Lehkonen and Drouin, 11:00
At 12:13, Erik Gudbranson went off for tripping, giving the Avalanche their first power play of the night. The Jackets managed to kill the penalty thanks in part to an outstanding save from Elvis Merzlikins in the dying seconds.
Alex Nylander took a penalty with 16:54 remaining, but the Jackets killed this one as well – as he got out of the box, Nylander was sprung on a breakaway but rang his attempt off the post. After 20 minutes, the teams were tied at 1-1 while Colorado led in posts hit 3-1.
Second Period
The Avalanche opened the scoring in the second period – they had 7 straight shots to open the period and were rewarded as a shot snuck through Merzlikins and Ross Colton was able to bat it over the line to give the Avs lead.
Colorado goal (1-2): Colton from Parise and Wood, 5:43
Less than 90 seconds later, the Avs were back on the scoreboard and Josh Manson’s shot was deflected home by Mikko Rantanen for his 38th of the season.
Colorado goal (1-3): Rantanen from Manson and Girardi, 7:07
Columbus’ fourth (?) line – whatever line Voronkov plays on, since he only gets 10 minutes a night, looked to have cut the lead to just one, but the referees ruled that Voronkov had played the puck with a high stick over the crossbar and waved off the goal. Vincent appeared displeased, but it was the right call. Simultaneously shots were 11-2 Avs at that point in the second period.
Third Period
Final
Columbus Blue Jackets 1 Colorado Avalanche 6
Final Thoughts
Calling up David Jiricek and flying him across the country just so that he could be healthy scratched while Jake Bean and Jake Christiansen played in his stead makes negative sense. This is a lost season – what are we doing here? Jiricek couldn’t have benefitted from reps against Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar? Especially when game results don’t matter? Make it make sense.
Colorado plays a fast, creative style that allows players to carry the puck and take chances to get players into space. Columbus, even when healthy, doesn’t want creativity because the head coach does not want the team the play like the Globetrotters. One of the philosophies leads to success in 2024, and it’s not Columbus!
Colorado plays with a speed, decisiveness, and level of puck control Columbus has never shown in any season. That is what wins in this league. Not 2-1 dump and chase games. You have to win with talent and speed. The next general manager of this team has to know and build the team this way or Columbus will continue to flounder.
Mikko Rantanen has more goals this season than every Jacket not named “Gaudreau” or “Werenski” has points this season.
Sorry about the abrupt lack of details in the third period, we lost power during second intermission and service was spotty at best. I had to do the rest from my phone without watching it. Sorry.
Up Next
No rest for the weary on a back to back – the Columbus Blue Jackets return to the ice on Saturday night as they head to Sin City to take on the Vegas Golden Knights. Faceoff is set for 10:30 PM ET.