Final Score: Blue Jackets 2 – Stars 1

Game Summary

Just one day after John Tortorella took down the “Safe is Death” sign in the Blue Jackets dressing room, the Jackets responded with a safe but strong win over the Dallas Stars. The Stars entered the game tied with the Jackets with 47 points. This was not going to be an easy road game.

The Jackets came out and played excruciatingly safe. They held the Stars to just seven shots, but only had eight themselves. This was a theme of the game. Not one period saw either team put up double digit shots. The final tally ended up 26-22 in favour of Columbus. The Jackets also had the territorial edge for the first time in three games. They put up a 54.12% Corsi at 5 on 5, 55.56% of the scoring chances and an impressive 60.61% of the high danger chances. The new philosophy isn’t so bad if it results in games like this.

The most beneficial player from this has to be Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky struggled in December with an .891 save percentage. Part of the reason for this rough stretch has to be the play in front of him. The Blue Jackets were just a 48.68% possession team in December, 20th in the league. This was down significantly from the 52.54%, and fourth place ranking they had for the first two months. Taking off some of the pressure from Bobrovsky, should help get him back to form.

This new safe strategy didn’t lead to the most exciting game through two periods. Neither team were able to convert on their limited chances, until the third. In the third Dallas scored first to take a 1-0 lead but then it was Oliver Bjorkstrand scoring twice to win the game for the Blue Jackets.

Bjorkstrand doing what he does best with his first goal of the night. Zips right past Bishop.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/jnT09Lvs3s

— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) January 3, 2018

Two goals for Oliver. The second shot may be even better than the first. What a snipe.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/KQYdxEzQ5K

— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) January 3, 2018

This is Bjorkstrand doing what he does best, shooting the puck. He has a really good shot and doesn’t need to be in the best areas of the ice to score. He can score from anywhere. Those two goals push Bjorkstrand into second on team scoring with 26 points. The Jackets are going to need his goal scoring ability this month in a big way.

Stat of the Night

With the win, Bobrovsky notches his 200th career victory #morehugs #CBJ

— Alison (@AlisonL) January 3, 2018

Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.

You can follow me on Twitter @PaulBerthelot

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