All of a sudden the Jackets can’t lose. On Sunday the Jackets downed Detroit 3 – 2 in a shootout, sweeping the home-and-home and running the NHL’s longest current winning streak to five games. It’s the longest winning streak the Jackets have had since November of 2010.
Once again Bob got the start in goal and played well. He finished with 21 saves, including a terrific stop on Brendan Smith with little more than half a minute remaining in OT. He has been so much sharper over the last couple of weeks. His positioning and rebound control have been outstanding. Cutting down on rebounds has helped limit the quality chances against. This is the goalie the Jackets were hoping they were getting when they shipped three draft choices to Philadelphia for Bobrovsky last summer.
After a scoreless first period, the teams combined to tally three times in a 75-second span in period two. Derick Brassard put Columbus on the board with a big slapper from the right circle. After faking a shot he moved in a little closer putting himself in a better shooting line before beating Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard high to the glove side.
Jakub Kindl evened the score converting on a slap shot from the left circle. After receiving a pass from Pavel Datsyuk, Kindl fired the puck past Bob, who appeared to be screened by Justin Abdelkader and one of his own defensemen,
R.J. Umberger again handed Columbus a one-goal lead tallying from nearly the same spot Brassard scored his goal from. After a Ryan Johansen shot was blocked the puck bounced over the stick of Henrik Zetterberg and ended up on the stick of Umberger. Umberger fired a slap shot beating Howard, again high on his glove side.
The Jackets then put themselves in penalty trouble allowing Detroit to ultimately pull even again on the PP. At the 19:36 mark of period two, Johansen was assessed a minor for slashing. On the ensuing faceoff Umberger was tied up and couldn’t get his stick on the puck so as he fell to the ice he used his gloved hand to pass it back. A new rule was passed this season making it illegal for the player taking the faceoff to do that and Detroit was awarded a full two-minute two-man advantage as a result.
Detroit would capitalize just 0:25 into the final frame on a goal by Johan Franzen. Franzen parked himself where he usually does, right in front of the net. He finished off a rapid-fire passing play, Zetterberg to Damien Brunner to Franzen to tie the game at two.
Following the scoreless OT, despite a frantic final minute, the teams headed to the shootout. Datsyuk scored on a snap shot to put the Wings ahead but beautiful goals by Ryan Johansen and Matt Calvert put Columbus in the driver’s seat.
Calvert went back-and-forth, backhand to forehand about a dozen times it seemed before slipping the puck behind a thoroughly beaten Howard for the eventual winner. I’m not sure if even today Howard’s head has stopped spinning following the Calvert shootout goal. Mine hasn’t.
After Datsyuk’s goal, Bob stopped both Brunner and Zetterberg to seal the victory. Bob got a little payback on Brunner, who torched the Columbus netminder back in January in the shootout to give Detroit their only win over the Jackets this year.
Speaking of Detroit’s only victory over Columbus, the Jackets finished the season series against the Wings 4 – 0 – 1. It’s the first time in franchise history that Columbus won the season series against their Central Division rivals. The 2012-2013 Wings may not be as strong as in previous years but I still think of them as an important measuring stick. Winning a season series against Detroit is still quite the accomplishment.
Vinny P.
I ran into a an interesting article on TSN.com today for those of you curious as to why Vinny Prospal got the boot late in Saturday’s 3 – 0 win. Apparently the referee disapproved of Prospal pointing at the scoreboard to remind Justin Abdelkader of who was winning at the moment. Vinny was a little perturbed after Abdelkader gave him a shove from behind and that was his response. I thought it was unnecessary for the official to assign him a misconduct penalty in that case.
In
this on TSN.com, former referee and current TSN contributor Kerry Fraser gives his insights on the situation.
First Star
Congratulations to Sergei Bobrovsky for being named the NHL’s #1 first star for last week beating out Sidney Crosby, who was named second star. Bobrovsky won all four of his starts, posted a GAA of 0.77 and stopped 97.2% of the shots he faced. To beat out Crosby, who scored two goals and had 11 points in four games last week, is a remarkable accomplishment.
Trade
Jarmo Kekalainen completed his first trade as GM of Columbus when he acquired forward Spencer Machacek from Winnipeg in exchange for forward Tomas Kubalik. Machacek, a third round pick of Atlanta/Winnipeg in 2008, is a gritty type who has had success at the AHL level. Whether or not he can take the next step is the question. Sometimes it’s an under-the-radar move like this that pays off. Hopefully Kekalainen’s first trade ends up being a big win for Columbus.
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