The Columbus Blue Jackets are a bad hockey team. The Vancouver Canucks aren’t much better. In fact, Vancouver is dead last in the NHL in scoring chances +/- this season, at an astounding -270 this year. We’ve also found a team with a higher penalty minute count leader this year than Scott Hartnell. Come on down, Derek Dorsett! Cody Goloubef returned to the lineup tonight, replacing Justin Falk.
Going into the game, who knew what to expect? Vancouver had played poorly this season, and the Blue Jackets were a wild card team (though not in the standings, hey-o!), capable of basically any result on any given night. On we went. To the highlights!
FIRST PERIOD HIGHLIGHTS
Your CBJ starters: Joonas Korpisalo, Scott Hartnell, William Karlsson, Matt Calvert, Ryan Murray, Seth Jones
End to end action for the first three minutes, but neither team could generate a shot on goal.
Jack Johnson saw a shot saved by Ryan Miller at 3:30.
Nick Foligno had a 2 on 1 broken up by Christopher Tanev at 4:15.
Columbus was keeping shifts short early, with each lasting about 30 seconds.
Canucks power play. Cam Atkinson went to the box at 7:42 for hooking.
Save! Korpisalo at 8:15.
Canucks goal. Linden Vey potted a power play goal at 9:05. Sven Baertschi and Bo Hortvat drew the assists on the bang-bang play.
Seth Jones saw an attempt blocked in front at 11:00.
SAVE! Korpisalo denied Brandon Sutter at 13:11 on a rush.
SAVE!! After a bounce off the boards into the slot, Korpisalo denied Luca Sbisa at 13:18.
SAVE! Korpisalo denies Sutter at 15:56.
Lots of end to end action through the end of the period, but few shots on goal. No real scoring chances by either team. Kind of a feeling out period, if you will.
At the end of the first period, Columbus trailed Vancouver 1-0. Columbus was outshot by Vancouver 10-8.
SECOND PERIOD HIGHLIGHTS
Brandon Dubinsky saw a shot saved, and Boone Jenner could not knock in the rebound at 0:30.
Jackets on the power play! Vancouver was called for too many men on the ice at 1:44.
Block! Alexander Wennberg blocked a shot while on the kill at 3:15.
The Canucks killed the penalty.
Jackets on the power play! Seth Jones was hauled down on a 3 on 1 at 4:16 by Sven Baertschi.
Wennberg’s shot was deflected wide at 5:00.
2 consecutive AWFUL power play efforts. 1 shot on 2 power plays is inexcusable. Obviously, the Canucks killed it. The Blue Jackets power play, featuring drop passes to no one, is a complete travesty.
The 4th line has been invisible thus far.
SAVE! Alexander Edler was denied by Korpisalo at 9:45.
Boone Jenner was in behind the defense, but the puck rolled off hi stick at 14:00.
Saad saw a shot deflected wide at 16:15, and his stick exploded when he attempted the shot.
The second period ended with Columbus trailing 1-0, and being outshot 17-16.
THIRD PERIOD HIGHLIGHTS
Slow start to the third period. Neither team posted a shot on goal in the first 2 minutes.
I’m trying to find highlights, gang. I am. But this is a slow, uneventful game.
SAVE!! Korpisalo denied Jared McCann at 6:00.
Canucks on the power play at 6:16. Rene Bourque went off for high sticking.
SAVES IN SUCCESSION FOR KORPISALO!!!
Jackets on the power play! Jared McCann went off for hooking at 8:35.
BLUE JACKETS GOAL!!!! Scott Hartnell! He buries the power play goal from Cam Atkinson at 9:06. Assists to Atkinson and Ryan Murray.
SAAD DENIED AT 9:46!
SAVE!! Korpisalo keeps the net clean at 10:15!
Vancouver had a 2 on 1 broken up at 11:45.
At the final TV timeout, it was 1-1 and Nick Foligno had just been denied.
Dubinsky sent a shot wide at 16:00.
SAVES!!! Korpisalo keeps the net clean from attempts by Alex Biega and Baertschi at 17:15.
At the end of the third, Columbus was tied 1-1 and was being outshot 32-27. To overtime we went!
BONUS HOCKEY HIGHLIGHT
CHANCE FOR VANCOUVER!!! Jannik Hansen sent one off the glove at 0:17.
Saad fired a 2 on 1 shot high and wide at 1:15.
Canucks power play. William Karlsson was called for interference on a pick play at 2:26.
SAVE FROM KORPISALO! The goalie denied Radim Vrbata at 3:40.
Wennberg denied at 4:45!!!
To a shootout we went.
Columbus: Cam Atkinson denied, Brandon Dubinsky denied, Alexander Wennberg SCORES
Vancouver: Alex Burrows denied, Radim Vrbata denied, Sven Baertschi denied
FINAL: Columbus 2, Vancouver 1
QUICK THOUGHTS
Seth Jones was very active on the offensive end. He was noticeable in stepping up to join the rush and create chances, creating a lot of 4 man offense for the team. Look to see that continue as he develops in his role.
UP NEXT
Columbus finishes up their Canadian road trip tomorrow night against the Calgary Flames. Faceoff is at 9:00 EST.