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Post Battle #21 vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning |
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Final Score: Blue Jackets 5 – Lightning 1
Game Summary
The Blue Jackets for the second time in three games took on the Tampa Bay Lightning, and for the second time in a row they put five goals. The Jackets played another strong game, particularly in the first two periods when the game was close. They did a great job at keep the Tampa forwards in check, not allowing them to enter the offensive zone. What chances Tampa was able to get were stopped by Sergei Bobrovsky.
The star of the game was by far Josh Anderson, who had his best game of the season picking up a goal and two assists. He was making great plays all over the ice, finishing the game with a team leading seven shots on goal. He made a really nice play on the first goal, getting a pass in the neutral zone, making a move around Victor Hedman, turning it into a 3 on 1 chance, which William Karlsson finished off.
His goal was not near as impressive as that play but was still very good. Scott Hartnell had the puck behind the net and made a very strong pass to the front of the net where Anderson was able to one-time it. Lukas Sedlak did a good job to box out the defencemen to give Anderson space.
When the Jackets drafted Anderson I thought he was going to be Jared Boll 2.0. He was an agitator with the London Knights who was unafraid to drop the gloves and stand up for his teammates. He was never a skilled player at the lower levels. As he got older and more experienced that skill level started to grow to the point that he is so much more than just a fourth liner. He has developed into a good power forward, and someone who fits very well in a skilled bottom six. He still has that physical edge but its games like this that show you just how much offensive upside he has.
Hartnell also had himself a strong game, with a goal and an assist. His goal was set up by a nice pass from David Savard, and extended the Blue Jackets lead to 4-0.
Hartnell has flown under the radar this season, but he’s quietly been the same player he’s always been. He’s been bumped down in the line-up, and has played predominantly with Sedlak and Sam Gagner, though this game he was with Andersson and Karlsson. It hasn’t mattered what line he has been on it’s been an effective line. Hartnell has 13 points in 21 games which is very good considering the drop in the line-up. He much like Anderson, have fit really well has depth scorers, giving the Jackets bottom six an advantage over other teams.
Stat of the Night
Stats courtesy of
Natural Stat Trick and
Hockey-Reference.
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