Final Score: Blue Jackets 5 – Wild 4

Game Summary

The Jackets played another very strong game. Just like against the Rangers the controlled the pace of play putting up a 61.33% Corsi and had a 35-21 shot edge. They did not have the same scoring chance numbers, putting up 18 chances and just five high danger chances, as Minnesota did a good job at keeping the Jackets out of the slot area.

The Jackets showed the same resiliency they did on Friday, falling behind but keeping their foot on the gas and coming back to get a big win. Sergei Bobrovksy started the game, and on the second half of a back to back he was not his usual self. He allowed four goals on 21 shots for a lowly .810 save percentage. Bobrovsky already in these early games has carried the Jackets and kept them in games in which they were playing poorly. This game it was time for the skaters to pick up their goalie.

The top line was at it once again. Alexander Wennberg was his usual self setting up great chances with excellent vision and passes. He set up Zach Werenski for the Blue Jackets first goal.

This pass from Alexander Wennberg to Zach Werenski is sublime. 1-1 game in St. Paul. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/kjo7vMxBgV

— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 15, 2017

This is an incredible pass from Wennberg, the Wild didn’t seem to realize Werenski was over there and left him completely wide open. Wennberg is so good at surveying the ice and finding the open player and getting him the puck.

The Jackets fell behind 3-1 in the second, in part because of a bad neutral zone turnover by David Savard. But just like Seth Jones on Friday, Savard made up for his gaffe.

And it was a rocket. One-goal game. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/3gikyE3TTz

— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 15, 2017

This is a bomb from Savard, he puts everything he has into this and Deven Dubnyk has no chance on it. This goal made it a one goal game and helped keep the Jackets in it as they headed to third. Early in the third Tyler Ennis scored his second of the game to re-establish the two goal lead.

Once again the top line was there to answer, this time it was Cam Atkinson who put home a Jack Johnson rebound.

Huge goal here for Cam Atkinson, who gets rewarded for going to the net. His second of the season. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/z6VLdF2jVr

— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 15, 2017

Atkinson’s second goal of the season made it four to three. The Jackets were pushing hard for the equalizer and finally broke through late in the third as Josh Anderson picked up his first goal of the season.

Ideal time for Anderson to get his first goal of the season. Great hand-eye out in front. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/zJrrJI3S2F

— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 15, 2017

Savard, who was really involved in the offense, takes the shot and Anderson is just able to tip it without it being high sticking. Savard did a real nice job here finding the lane and not having the shot blocked by the player covering him.

In overtime the Jackets are just unfair. Wennberg, Artemi Panarin and Jones has to be one of the better three-on-three units out there. They made quick work of the Wild and got the win for the Jackets. Wennberg deflected in the Panarin rebound for his first goal of the season.

Artemi Panarin is a wizard. Great play to enter the zone, and Alexander Wennberg sends the Blue Jackets to 4-1-0. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/NiCdq3q69k

— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 15, 2017

Stat of the Night

#CBJ with eight out of 10 points (4-1-0) in the 1st five games of a campaign for 2nd time in club history (2009-10).

— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) October 15, 2017

Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.

You can follow me on Twitter @PaulBerthelot

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