What a game on NBC Sports Network last night. Columbus gets the national spotlight, despite being defeated by the Detroit Red Wings by a final score of 2-1 in a shootout. This point means Columbus has earned points in 11 of their last 13 games, whereas Detroit inches closer to the second seed in the Atlantic Division.
Detroit got their lone regulation goal in the second period. Riley Sheahan scored the club's first shorthanded goal of the season. Sheahan's goal came with about 6 minutes left in the middle frame; it was his 8th goal of the season. Alexy Marchenko got the only assist, as he blocked Brandon Dubinsky and Scott Hartnell entry into the defensive end, and Marchenko cleared the biscuit out, which resulted in Sheahan getting a shorthanded breakaway goal. In the shootout, Sheahan beat McElhinney, going as the second shooter. The third shooter was Andres Anthansiou, who was noticeable all night long with his impressive speed, and was rewarded by helping his team get the extra point on Columbus. The 20 year old sped into the zone, and beat Big Mac down low. In regulation, Petr Mrazek stopped 25 of 26 shots in 65 minutes of play, and stopped both shootout shooters.
Columbus got their lone goal in regulation in the first period. Boone Jenner roofed a shot past Mrazek over the blocker side as he went down. The goal is Jenner's 22nd goal of the season, and it came with about 2 minutes remaining in the first frame. Brandon Dubinsky and David Savard had assists on the goal. Curtis McElhinney was back in between the pipes last night, and it was his first start since going down with his ankle injury (January 2). McElhinney stopped 25 of 26 in 65 minutes, but allowed 2 of 3 shots in the shootout.
Just overall looking at the game, I felt like the Jackets were the overall better team last night based off team effort. They had more scoring chances and odd man rushes. The puck was moved more and seemed to be aimed towards the net more, but better speed and puck luck helped the Wings last night.
CBJ Three Stars of the Night
1. Boone Jenner- goal (22)
2. Curtis McElhinney- 1GA on 26SA
3. David Savard/Brandon Dubinsky- assist each (16)/(23)
More to come…