Final Score: Blue Jackets 3 – Lightning 1

Game Summary

The Blue Jackets completed the season series with Tampa Bay by sweeping them with a 3-1 win. The Jackets had a disastrous first period allowing 19 shots and recording just a 34.88% Corsi at 5 on 5. Keeping them in the game was the fantastic play of not Sergei Bobrovksy, who was supposed to start but Joonas Korpisalo.

Korpisalo was recalled to be the back-up last game to be the back-up and was expected to be the back-up again tonight. Bobrovsky had a full practice on Thursday and was expected to start. He however had some lingering effects from his illness and the late switch was made. Korpisalo making his season debut was thrown right into the fire, making 18 saves in the first period. He looked really good and was the sole reason the Jackets were even in this game.

The Jackets rebounded in the second and thanks to the strong play of Korpisalo they were fortunate to only be down 1-0. The Jackets outshot the Lightning 16-7 in the middle frame and had a solid 54.84% Corsi at 5 on 5. The Jackets were able to tie the game on Josh Anderson’s 10th goal of the season.

Former London Knight Josh Anderson with the goal. Can you believe it Pierre? I CAN! 1-1 #CBJ pic.twitter.com/QuGZxbWL0J

— Buckeye State Hockey (@BuckeyeStHockey) January 14, 2017

David Savard takes the initial shot and gets it on net. Anderson is in the perfect spot in-front of the net to tip the rebound up and over Andrei Vasilevskiy. Anderson getting his 10th gives the Blue Jackets six players with 10 goals and reminded me of this tweet.

Having at least ten 10-goal scorers is the standard asking price for a playoff spot; with those 10 including one @ 30+, & three @ 20+

— Christopher Boucher (@Chris_LogiQ) October 7, 2015

I really thought the Jackets were going to do that last season. This season there’s no question. Cam is on pace for 30, with Nick Foligno, Brandon Saad and Sam Gagner all on pace for at least 20. Alexander Wennberg, Seth Jones and Boone Jenner should all hit 10 goals pretty easily giving the Jackets nine players with at least 10. They then just need one of Zach Werenski, William Karlsson or Matt Calvert to give them 10.

The Blue Jackets were back on their heels in the third period. They outshot Tampa 9-6, but at 5 on 5 the Lightning had a very strong 71.43% Corsi. The Jackets managed to score twice in the period, one being an empty netter from Jenner, the other on the power play by Nick Foligno.

Nick Foligno picks up the garbage in front after a Werenski shot on goal. A power play goal! 2-1 Jackets #CBJ pic.twitter.com/NFXd6YKmf7

— Buckeye State Hockey (@BuckeyeStHockey) January 14, 2017

Folingo is doing what he does best, hanging around the front of the net, and is rewarded with his 15 goal of the season.

Stat of the Night

Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.

You can follow me on Twitter @PaulBerthelot

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