A sellout crowd welcomed the Blue Jackets to Nationwide Arena last night. The Columbus Blue Jackets hosted the Detroit Red Wings in the second game of their month-long homestand tonight. The Blue Jackets were entering on the heels of their no show performance on Thursday night against the Vancouver Canucks.
The Red Wings were coming to Nationwide Arena for their only visit of the 2016-17 season, and were doing so after being absolutely destroyed by the Washington Capitals.
Sergei Bobrovsky opened the game strong, setting the tone early as he stopped Thomas Tatar on a breakaway early in the period. After a few minutes of end to end hockey, Boone Jenner opened the scoring as he deflected a Brandon Dubinsky shot into the net. Finally, for the first time in forever, the CBJ had a home lead early in the game.
At the end of the period, David Savard took a penalty for cross checking in his first game back from back spasms. The Red Wings have the worst power play in the league, so naturally they cashed in behind an effort from Thomas Vanek.
There was a lot of end to end action in the second period, with Brandon Dubinsky and Josh Anderson missing glorious chances. Per Tom Reed of the Dispatch, the Blue Jackets had more quality chances early in the second than they generated in Thursday’s game in its entirety.
Cam Atkinson cashed in with minutes left in the second. He found a puck in front of the net and wasted no time burying it. The assists went to Boone Jenner and Brandon Dubinsky. That line has been everywhere of late, and they’re pretty clearly the first line now.
The Wings opened the third period on a power play after a David Savard double minor for high sticking, and they pushed hard. The Blue Jackets killed it, but did not generate a shot for the first ten minutes of the third period.
The Jackets closed the game out though, in front of 19,143 fans.
The Blue Jackets swept the Red Wings for the first time in club history. Congratulations to the Jackets on this monumental feat.
Condolences to the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers communities on the loss of Mr. Illich. You all are in our thoughts.
The Jackets return to the ice Monday night against the Rangers – on NBCSN!