Final Score: Blue Jackets 3 – Coyotes 2
Game Summary
What a ride that was. The Jackets have been playing exceptionally well and it has led to fun, exciting hockey each game. The overtime in this game was some of the best hockey we will see all season. The teams were back and forth, trading chances and the goalies were trading huge saves.
Curtis McElhinney got the start and was the star of the extra frame. He stopped numerous high quality chances, keeping the Jackets alive.
That was McElhinney’s third start of the season and it was a good decision by John Tortorella to get him some action. Sergei Bobrovsky has played a ton this season and rightfully so, he's been fantastic. But he cannot play every game, and with the way the team is playing they don’t need him too. One of the benefits of controlling the play like the Jackets have is they don’t need goalie to steal them games. You can take some pressure of Bobrovsky and have more confidence in your back-up.
This game maybe wasn’t the best example of that with the Jackets allowing 34 shots against, but they made up for it by putting up a franchise record 60 shots on goal. At 5 on 5 the Jackets had a 62.26% Corsi, and had 54.55% of the scoring chances. They were at their best in the third period where they were pushing to tie the game. They had an 87.1% Corsi in the period, outshooting the Coyotes an insane 23-4. Mike Smith was great in net for Arizona and the sole reason they were able to pick up a point.
Boone Jenner got things started early with his second goal in two games, just 13 seconds into the first period. Jack Johnson had a great rush to get the puck into the zone, he took the puck low and found Boone streaking into the slot.
For Boone that is just his fourth goal and eighth point of the season. He has struggled this season and is not likely to close to the 30 goals or 49 points he had last year. The good thing though is that so many others players have been playing well, they haven’t needed the offense from Boone. Hopefully this little goal scoring streak can help get him back on track.
Alexander Wennberg scored the tying goal in the third period. Nick Foligno won a board battle and got the puck to Brandon Saad, Saad then made a good pass to Wennberg in front of the net, and Wennberg slid it five-hole on Smith.
That line continues to shine, being the most productive and consistent line for the Blue Jackets this season. Each player has at least 20 points, showing that this isn’t just a one player line. They work very well together with a perfect blend of size, speed and skill.
Stat of the Night
Stats courtesy of
Natural Stat Trick and
Hockey-Reference.
You can follow me on Twitter
@PaulBerthelot
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»