One thing that can be said about the 2013 Columbus Blue Jackets is that they simply refuse to stay down and just won't go away. In a victory that represents a sort of microcosm of the their season, the Jackets twice bounced back from one-goal deficits to tie the game before Fedor Tyutin iced Anaheim in OT to give Columbus a 3 - 2 win. The win, Columbus' fifth in a row overall and third straight away from Nationwide, elevated the Jackets into sole possession of 8th in the West with just four games remaining in their regular season.

After allowing a PP goal to Anaheim rookie Sami Vatanen, his first NHL goal and point by the way so congratulations are in order, the Jackets evened the score in the second on a goal by Blake Comeau. Comeau redirected a pass from the RW boards from James Wisniewski past Anaheim rookie goalie Viktor Fasth for his second marker as a Blue Jacket.

David Steckel snapped a long personal goal scoring drought (32 games) early in the third period on a flukey play. After Bobrovsky stuffed an attempt by Kyle Palmieri, Steckel took a whack at it and after hitting Bobrovsky, the puck popped up into the air out of view. With several players looking around trying to find it, the puck landed in the crease behind the Columbus netminder and rolled over the goal line to give Anaheim the lead.

In years past a flukey goal like that might have sapped the will of the Jackets but this is a resiliant bunch as we've seen many times this season. Instead of packing it in, accepting a loss and thinking they had done their best, Columbus found a way to get the game knotted up in regulation forcing OT.

Matt Calvert benefitted from Brandon Dubinsky's hard work to tally the game tying goal midway through the third. Dubinsky skated out from behind the cage and backhanded a shot on goal. The rebound kicked out and over the stick of Cam Atkinson but right to Calvert who rifled the puck into the net.

Nick Foligno made the play in OT, showing off his puck handling ability and spinning around Saku Koivu before throwing the puck at the net toward a streaking Tyutin. Tyutin was able to redirect the shot/pass by Fasth for the game-winner.

Columbus did an excellent job all night in limiting the quality chances for the Ducks best offensive players. Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry combined for two helpers, each assisting on Vatanen's goal in the first, and little else. Perrry finished with just two shots on goal while missing the net on two others. Getzlaf was not credited with any shots on goal or missed attempts. Those guys are they keys to Anaheim's offense and Columbus did an excellent job of keeping them quiet.

The Dubinsky line with Calvert and Atkinson on the wings drew the assignment against the Getzlaf line most of the night. The Jackets trio combined for a goal, an assist, and seven shots on goal. They were the most effective line of the night for Columbus.

Bobrovsky was his usual excellent self in stopping 26 of 28 shots. He can't be balmed for either of the goals against. He was screened effectively on the first period PP tally and as described, the second marker was of the flukey variety. Aside from that he was terrific and with every win he backstops Columbus to he adds more dollars to the contract he will sign this summer as a RFA.

Calgary did Columbus a favor by downing the Red Wings 3 - 2 in regulation. Detroit has a game in hand but is a full two points behind Columbus in the standings. Of course the Red Wings own the next tie breaker (regulation wins) so the Jackets need to finish the campaign with more points than Detroit to make the playoffs. Columbus' work is far from finished but they are in a more favorable position today than they were yesterday thanks to Calgary's win.

The Jackets tough road trip continues tonight with Columbus set to hit the ice to face the LA Kings. LA is engaged in a dog fight with San Jose for playoff positioning and home ice advantage in round one with both clubs jockeying for the 4th seed. Having to play a tough Kings team on the road in the second-half of a back-to-back won't be easy but then nothing has been easy for Columbus this year. Why should that change now?

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