The Columbus Blue Jackets have defeated the Dallas Stars by the final score of 3-2 in overtime. With the Jackets back in the eastern time zone, life is easier for me to watch the games to being everyone a better coverage of the game.
The first period was quiet on the scoreboard, but the shot count was eye popping. The Stars put 18 shots on the net, giving Bobrovsky the look alike performance he had during the World Cup of Hockey. The Jackets had 9. Half of what the Stars had. Half! Other than that, the captain dropped the gloves with the goon, getting a standing ovation from the Columbus crowd.
In the second period, Brandon Saad cycled the puck low to Zach Werenski, getting free from Jason Spezza, got the pass back to Nick Foligno, found the open space between the Stars center and the defensive pairing of Johnny Oduya and Stephen Johns. and beat Antti Niemi high over the shoulder on the trapper side for a 1-0 lead.
1-0 CBJ- goal from Nick Foligno (2); assists from Zach Werenski (5), Brandon Saad (3)
Later in the frame, the Stars broke out of their end with some back and forth passing on their blue line between Stephen Johns and Johnny Oduya, and backed a pass to Jason Spezza, who flew out of the zone, speeding fast past Matt Calvert, William Karlsson, and Ryan Murray, to tie the game at one.
1-1 TIE- goal from Jason Spezza (3); assists from Johnny Oriya (3) and Stephen Johns (1)
In the early stages of the third period, the Stars have the puck in the Jackets' defensive end, and John Klingberg pinches in from the point, passes it to captain Jamie Benn, who then passes it to Tyler Séguin, who snaps it on net, and finds the open spot on Sergi Bobrovsky to make it a 2-1 Dallas lead.
2-1 Dallas- goal from Tyler Séguin (5); assists from Jamie Benn (3) and John Klingberg (4)
In the final minute of the period, the Jackets go on a 6-4 power play. Breaking into the zone, Cam Atkinson makes a drop pass to Sam Gagner, who beats Antti Niemi high on the blocker side to tie the game with 15.1 seconds left in regulation.
2-2 TIE- goal from Sam Gagner (3); assists from Cam Atkinson (3) and Zach Werenski (6)
In the early parts of overtime, 46 seconds in, Brandon Saad drops a pass to Seth Jones while Alex Wennberg screens Antti Niemi. Moving onto his stronger side, Niemi looses sight of the puck as Jones fires it high for the game winning goal.
3-2 CBJ- goal from Seth Jones (2); assists from Brandon Saad (4) and Alex Wennberg (7)
Antti Niemi was the starting goalie for the Stars, having a very subpar night in my opinion, stopping 25 of 28 shots for a 0.892 save percentage (89.2%). Sergei Bobrovsky has stopped 36 of 38 shots for a 0.947 save percentage (94.7%).
Other thought before the three stars of the game:
1. The Roussel-Foligno fight shows that the gloves dropping is dying from the game, but the captain brought the necessary energy needed to motivate the team.
2. The Stars have a great offensive group, even when a quarter of them are injured, but the young defense and overpaid goaltending are terrifying.
3. Radek Faksa is a late bloomer that was very impressive to me on the ice. A former first round pick that had found his spot on the second line.
4. Zach Werenski is a point per game player as a defenseman. And a rookie. Holy smokes. I can't call him the best defenseman on this team yet, but man he's getting there.
5. Sergei Bobrovsky had a very similar performance to the World Cup. If he keeps this up, maybe a playoff spot?
CBJ Three Stars of the Night
1. Sergei Bobrovsky- Win; 36SV on 38SA (94.7 SV%)
2. Seth Jones- GWG (2)
3. Sam Gagner- game-tying goal (3)
More to come...