Final Score: Blue Jackets 4 – Panthers 0
Game Summary
What a performance by the Jackets. Florida is very skilled team playing desperate hockey. The Panthers know they have to make something of their games in hand and this game was huge for them. They came out fast early on but the Jackets weathered the storm, thanks to some great goaltending by Sergei Bobrovsky. He was spectacular stopping all 33 shots he faced, leading the Jackets to their 10th straight victory.
The Jackets become just the third team in NHL history to have 10 straight wins in consecutive seasons. This streak is arguably more impressive than last years. The Jackets are winning games at the most important time. They have gone from out of the playoffs past both wild card teams and into third of the Metro division, within striking distance of the Penguins in second.
The Jackets broke the scoreless tie in the second period on a really nice goal by Cam Atkinson.
Artemi Panarin continues to amaze. He makes a really nice move to gain the blue line. Everyone in the building thinks he’s going to shoot it and makes a no look pass to Atkinson, who finishes it off. The best part about this play was Atkinson mentioning in the intermission interview how he and Panarin practice this play and no look passing. They have developed such good chemistry.
The Jackets second goal came from their new third line, the kid line. Pierre-Luc Dubois has been moved down to the third line playing with Oliver Bjorkstrand and Sonny Milano. This line is not perfect, they can on occasion disappear for periods at a time, but you keep them together because they are skilled and can score.
The Jackets third goal came from Seth Jones. Jones returned to the line-up after missing the prior three with an injury.
Jones showed no rust at all and picked up right where he left off, scoring his 15th of the season. The Jackets were very fortunate they played as well as they did with Jones out. This might end up working out really well for them. You give Jones a rest don’t lose any games, and now have a fully rested Jones for the final stretch.
With Jones back, the Jackets opted to sit Jack Johnson. With the way this defence group has been going this move made the most sense. Johnson just isn't playing at the level everyone else is. This group the Jackets had for this game is by far the best defensive group they have used all season.
Thomas Vanek put the cherry on top of this game with an empty late in the third. The Jackets are back in action on Saturday and things do not get any easier as the St. Louis Blues come to town.
Stat of the Night
Stats courtesy of
Natural Stat Trick and
Hockey-Reference.
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