The aftermath of NHL trade deadline day around the league saw the Ottawa Senators take on the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. While the Senators came in playing out the string, Columbus needed to shake an eight-game losing streak in order to climb back over the dividing line for the playoffs. Or simply just find their way to overtime.
In case you somehow missed it from earlier today, the Blue Jackets traded Markus Hännikäinen to the Coyotes for a conditional 2020 seventh round draft pick. They also sent the somewhat of a hot button topic, Sonny Milano, to the Ducks for Devin Shore.
There were some other moves as well:
Also, #CBJ sent Jakob Lilja and Gabriel Carlsson down to Cleveland today then recalled them, the famed paper move to make sure each are available for the playoffs should the Monsters qualify.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) February 24, 2020
Anyway! As for the business at hand, the Jackets sent out the same lineup as they did against the Predators on Saturday night. Meaning Shore could join the club tomorrow night when the Blue Jackets face the Wild, and maybe this breath of fresh air for Shore will light the way, in turn, for Columbus.
Devin Shore is eager to hunt for a playoff spot:
“I’m really looking forward to getting in there and being part of a playoff race. It should be a breath of fresh air and I’m genuinely thrilled. It should be a lot of fun.” #CBJ
— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) February 24, 2020
Ottawa made a flurry of trades as well, and then there was this:
The #Sens have informed the league that they may start the game short because Balcers and Peca are both delayed getting into the Columbus but they will be in the lineup as soon as they arrive. Ryan will return tomorrow because there’s league protocol involved.
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) February 24, 2020
For a team in Columbus on an eight-game losing streak, and somehow still in the thick of the playoff race, while up against a short-handed team in Ottawa, there was no excuse for the Jackets not to get two points on this night.
Marcus Hogberg was in the net for Ottawa, the third different goalie the Blue Jackets have faced this season. He made 41 saves on 45 shots.
It took the Blue Jackets a few minutes to get their first shot on net, but their first of the game, from Nick Foligno (eighth goal), found its way through Hogberg just over four minutes in.
The trailer, in Foligno, waited to make his move toward the slot as Gustav Nyquist worked the play behind the net. Pierre-Luc Dubois also picked up an assist.
It was also a nice play by Gus to work the puck away, off the boards, and sprint ahead in between the Senators defenders to recoup the puck and set up the scoring play.
So you thought just because you’re up against a short-handed team that this would be easy? Of course not. Connor Brown knocked in his 12th of the year, following Chris Tierney’s catch and trailing pass back to Brown. Christian Jaros got an assist as well.
After Ottawa controlled the shot clock — 9-2 on that goal with 9:10 left — the Blue Jackets took a 15-11 shots advantage into the break.
The game’s first penalty occurred at the midway point of the second period with Foligno going off for interference. Nine seconds into the power play, the Senators took their first lead of the night with Brown’s second goal of the night off the face-off. Artem Anisimov and Mike Reilly picked up assists.
The injury trend continued for Columbus after Anthony Duclair went into Elvis Merzlikins, Merzlikins’ head hitting the ice. He left the game and Joonas Korpisalo (14 saves on 15 shots) made his first appearance back in net since late December. Riley Nash also left the game after a collision.
In case you were wondering, Bailey Seagraves, a former AAA Blue Jacket, was the emergency goaltender thrust onto the bench.
Foligno was able to redeem himself for the penalty with his second goal of the night. The play was kept alive from a key play by Vladislav Gavrikov to keep the play onside.
Juuust check out that play by Gavrikov to keep the play onside, following the opposition’s stick deflection to the blue line.
I feel like the Jackets are always tied or in a one-goal game entering the third. Or maybe it’s just when I recap. I also wonder what my recap record is this season?
Anyway both teams headed out for the third, each a respective hat trick away. Korpisalo had a chance for his first win in months, and more importantly, an opportunity for the Jackets to pull out a win. A silver lining of sorts as they await more news on Merzlikins’ injury.
They probably already knew because cameras showed Tortorella shaking his head with disgust after a talk with Head Athletic Trainer Mike Vogt in the second period.
Ottawa reclaimed their lead, short-lived as it would be, when Colin White scored his sixth, Jayce Hawryluk and Matthew Peca earning assists.
Stefan Matteau then scored his second goal of the season 29 seconds later on a tip-in, and Scott Harrington and Kevin Stenlund picked up points.
Check out Matteau’s hit on White, and then he’s back in front for the tip and goal.
White left the game after this hit but returned. Duclair, smarting on the bench in the early portion the third, would leave the game. Peca, who obviously assisted on that third Senators goal was among those late. And Balcers, the other Senator that was late arriving, didn’t get his equipment. It’s a tough night for Ottawa to have to be down to nine forwards and 17 players. Stenlund also took an accidental stick from Harrington to the face but stayed in.
The Blue Jackets headed to their third-consecutive overtime and sixth in the last eight games. A little good news?
Jackets just have to get to OT, could lose their ninth straight, but still fall up into a playoff spot.
— will chase (@willgchase) February 25, 2020
The overtime was high and flying and the luck finally fell Columbus’ way. With the attack the other way in the waning seconds, Zach Werenski’s rebound found Emil Bemstrom who found the back of the net for his seventh, and Boone Jenner got an assist as well.
With the victory, Columbus snaps an eight-game losing streak and improves to 31-19-14. They are now back in the second wild card spot and are two clear of the Islanders. They’ll head to Minnesota to face the Wild tomorrow night at 8:00 pm est.
Additional Notes
Joonas Korpisalo made 32 saves on 34 shots for the Cleveland Monsters in a 3-2 overtime win on Saturday night against the Rochester Americans. Anthony Duclair has 22 goals this season, but just one in the last 25 games. Zach Werenski led the Blue Jackets on the ice (25:53), Nick Foligno led the forwards (25:12). Thomas Chabot led the game on the ice (33:29). Markus Nutivaara led the game with six shots. Boone Jenner led the way winning 11 of 19 face-offs. Pierre-Luc Dubois was 6 of 10. Elvis Merzlikins made 16 saves on 18 shots.