Final Score: Hurricanes 2 – Blue Jackets 1

Game Summary

It’s only been four games but it feels like the Jackets have been playing Carolina every second game. Carolina has been a very frustrating opponent for Columbus. The Jackets did win two of the four games, but two were in overtime. Carolina has picked up six points on the Jackets and with how tight the Metro division those extra points could be huge in determining playoff positions.

The Jackets lost the game, but at least they are done playing Carolina for the year. The Jackets actually played well against the Hurricanes in this game for once. They put up up a 62.20% Corsi at 5 on 5 their best performance against any team this season. In the other three games Carolina controlled the games, holding the Jackets under a 50% Corsi, something that’s only happened five other times.

The Jackets had their chances, but were only able to beat Scott Darling once. He played extremely well stopping 35 of 36 shots. Sergei Bobrovsky played well at the other end, but unfortunately the offense wasn’t able to pick him up.
Alexander Wennberg scored the only goal, on a very nice pass from Cam Atkinson.

Confirmed: this was *very* nifty. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/SoJrplTtw9

— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 17, 2017

Four Hurricanes are focused on Atkinson and Noah Hanifin doesn’t pick Wennberg getting behind him until it’s too late. That was just Wennberg’s third goal of the season, but he's starting to play much better of late. He has two goals and four points in his last five games. It’s not otherworldly but it’s a start. Atkinson is in the same sort of situation. After going seven games without a point, and a healthy scratch thrown in, he now has points in back to back games. Getting these two players going offensively makes this team all the more dangerous.

After the game the Jackets recalled Sonny Milano and Cameron Gaunce from Cleveland. In a corresponding move they sent Jordan Schroeder and Gabriel Carlsson to the Monsters. Carlsson wasn’t seeing ice time so he needs to go down and play. Gaunce gives them someone who can fill in in an emergency.

The Jackets are back in action Monday against the Bruins.

Stat of the Night

#CBJ can’t get the equalizer and fall 2-1 to Carolina. Move to 20-12-1 on the season. Return to action Monday in Boston.

— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) December 17, 2017

Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.

You can follow me on Twitter @PaulBerthelot

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