After clinching a playoff spot with their shootout win over the New York Rangers, the Columbus Blue Jackets faced off with the Ottawa Senators to close the season with only playoff seeding on the line. Joonas Korpisalo got the start in net.
Here’s what just happened.
First Period
Pierre-Luc Dubois opened the scoring on a feed from Artemi Panarin at 3:39.
Oliver Bjorkstrand walked through the Ottawa defense and found Markus Nutivaara to make it 2-0 at 9:08.
At 10:33, a bad Ottawa turnover allowed Pierre-Luc Dubois to make it 3-0 and chase Craig Anderson from the Ottawa net.
Second Period
Thomas Chabot forced a turnover and scored Ottawa’s first at 8:50 of the second.
Alexandre Texier scored his first NHL goal at 15:35 to restore the three goal lead.
Third Period
Mikkel Boedker cut into the Jackets lead with his 7th of the season early in the third.
Oliver Bjorkstrand restored the three goal lead with his third point of the night after a turnover by Ottawa.
Riley Nash capped the evening with an empty netter.
Final
Columbus Blue Jackets 6 Ottawa Senators 2
Up Next – Playoffs
Tonight’s results – Columbus’ 6-2 victory and Carolina’s 4-3 victory – mean the Columbus Blue Jackets will face the Tampa Bay Lightnining in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
With the playoff schedule being released tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM, we will know when the Jackets will hit the ice in their first round series with the Tampa Bay Lightning.