Final Score: Panthers 2 – Blue Jackets 1

Game Summary

The Jackets playing in the second half of a back to back and their fifth game in seven nights put in another fantastic effort. They out played the Panthers, outshooting them 37-23, and controlling 51.04% of the play at 5 on 5. They were unable to get the win as Roberto Luongo was fantastic in net, though the Jackets did pick up a point.

This was a very encouraging set of games. This looked like it was going to be an extremely tough week for the Jackets, but they were up to the task picking up six points, with huge road wins over the Capitals and Lightning. Not only was the team picking up points, they were doing so in a way that suggests this wasn’t just a flash in the pan. The Jackets were above a 50% Corsi in each of these games, which again is very impressive considering the teams they were facing.

When they are playing like this they are very tough to beat. They have done well at limiting the opposition’s opportunities and what chances the opposition do get are being stopped by Sergei Bobrovsky.

The Jackets scored just one goal and it came from the hands of Brandon Saad. It was a bit of a scramble play and Saad basically just backhanded it towards the net. It fooled Luongo and went in.

that baackhand.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/SFpxfOC5Nr

— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 27, 2016

For Saad that was his second goal in two games. He now has six goals and 17 points in 20 games this season. He was really strong over this five game stretch, recording five points. He has been one of the best Blue Jackets this season. At 5 on 5 he led the team in Corsi with 61.9% in this game. He has been above 60% in each of the last four games and six of the last eight. For the season he is at 55.83% which leads the team and is 19th in the NHL.

He is an unbelievable player, playing at the top of his game right now. His strong play has certainly quieted the talk of him being a healthy scratch and all but ended any trade rumours. He’s been really fun to watch this season, he and Wennberg have been great together and two look to have developed some strong chemistry. Their line with Nick Foligno have been so good, and a big reason for the team’s success.

Stat of the Night

Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.

You can follow me on Twitter @PaulBerthelot

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