Fresh off a win in Pittsburgh, could the Jackets get above .500 with a win in Buffalo?
First Period
A late lineup change, Gudbranson reportedly had some hip soreness in warmups and was scratched in favor of Christiansen.
Columbus has gotten the jump on most teams in the first period this year and this one was a clinic on how they want to play. The forecheck was active and effective early and six minutes in they forced Owen Power into a turnover behind his net. Chinakhov picked up the puck all alone then used his speed and skill to get around the goalie to open the scoring.
CBJ Goal 1 – 0 Chinakhov (Unassisted)
The remainder of the period was all Columbus. Constant pressure foiled the Sabres break outs and allowed for no possession or any real chances. Columbus was able to generate shots on net at will but were unable to beat Lyon for a second time.
A late penalty on Severson, needlessly roughing a Sabre after the play, brought the period to an end with the CBJ shorthanded but a overall it was great road period. The Jackets recorded 14 shots and nearly double the xG of the Sabres (per NST) at 5v5.
Second Period
As dominant as the Jackets were in the first period, the Sabres were that in the second. The Jackets did successfully kill the remainder of the Severson penalty to start but it didn’t feel like the PK stopped after that. Columbus was easily able to transition the puck early in the game but had no success in the second frame. Buffalo would finally score a little over halfway into the period after Werenski failed to clear the defensive zone on three separate attempts. Doan converted on a net front play to beat Jet after a keep in at the blue line.
BUF Goal 1 – 1 Doan (Tuch, Timmins)
The Sabre onslaught would continue and a second goal would follow only a few moments later. Following an icing, the Sabres won the faceoff before a shot towards the net hit Severson’s shin and went in. Bad bounce but Buffalo was creating all the luck.
BUF Goal 1 – 2 McLeod (Byram, Tuch)
Buffalo would continue to push until a fortunate penalty call put the CBJ on the man advantage with under a minute left. There wasn’t a lot of time left in the period but it was more than enough for the top unit. Movement high in the zone setup a Werenski blast from high in the zone. Z did a great job keeping the puck low and Lyon couldn’t fight through the Voronkov screen in time to seal his pads against the ice.
CBJ PP Goal 2 – 2 Werenski (Marchenko, Monahan)
Somehow there was enough action left in the final 16 seconds of the period for the teams to get into a scrum that would result in Marchenko, Voronkov, and Byram being assessed roughing minors at the close. Buffalo out shot the Jackets nearly 2-1 to even up the shot totals for the game and to almost match the xG at 5v5.
Third Period
Buffalo yet again started the period on the power play but could not convert on the man advantage. Shortly after the kill, the Sabres once again forced the puck on net and while Jet was unable to corral the puck, former Jacket Dunne was able to to restore the Sabre lead.
BUF Goal 2 – 3 Dunne (Malenstyn, Samuelsson)
Having to push, Columbus started to have success creating possession and chances but were unable to take over the game like they did in the first. The quality chances did start to come but Alex Lyon flashed his glove on several occasions. It looked like the Buffalo goalie was up to the challenge of holding the one goal lead until Chinakhov held the puck patiently near the blue line on a zone entry before shooting the puck in for a tip that Miles Wood was more than ready for.
CBJ Goal 3 – 3 Wood (Chinakhov, Fabbro)
Good even back and forth play to close the period but this one was destined for overtime. Shot attempts were even with Columbus ending the normal play with a slight lead in xG.
Overtime
3v3 overtime has started to lose its chaotic nature across the league, except for when the Blue Jackets are involved. Jet made a massive save on a breakaway chance early before this one went back and forth several times. The CBJ did a great job defending their rushes against, while successfully getting their chances on Lyon. Cole Sillinger was unable to convert on an empty net created by Coyle mid-way through the OT but no fear, the combination of Lundestrom, Werenski and Wood moved the puck excellently in the offensive zone to setup Wood’s second tip-in of the game to earn the win.
CBJ OT Goal 4 – 3 Wood (Werenski, Lundestrom)
Final Thoughts
The trend of struggling in the second period has started to rear its ugly head again, but the play in the first period demonstrated what kind of highs this team is capable of. Back to back wins on the road, and a 4-1 road record is a nice way for this team to change that narrative from last season.
The new 4th line of Chinakhov, Lundestrom, and Wood was great all night. Chinakhov continues to show his playmaking chops and it pairs well with the straightforward speed of Wood. Marchenko once again was fearless in his puck carrying against defenders and Voronkov was once more a strong presence at the net front. The Fantilli and Coyle lines were both quiet in this game, a shuffle may be needed to balance out the middle six.
Fabbro, free of the shackles of Erik Gudbranson, crushed his third pairing minutes with Christiansen tonight. The usual top four had moments of offensive excellence and some lackluster play in their own zone per usual. Jet Greaves was largely sharp in net but noticeably struggled to control several rebounds. This was not something that happened last year, hopefully he can clean it up.
I must say that the Buffalo line of Doan-McLeod-Tuch was great all night and gave the Jackets fits. Alex Lyon was sharp as well, this was a good effort to rally back from a poor second period and to figure out how to beat a goalie playing well.
Up Next
Following the frozen frenzy, the Blue Jackets will host the Toronto Maple Leafs for the only game on the NHL slate tomorrow at 730 EST.