If you were looking for the big guns came out to play in a late night overtime victory, then you for that. Columbus completed their season series sweep over the Seattle Kraken. The final score was 5-4.
Goal scoring did not commence until the midway mark of the second period, with 5 goals in the final half of the frame, followed by a home comeback in the third.
Columbus opened the scoring with the top scorer getting on the board. Oliver Bjorkstrand scored his 9th goal of the season; Captain Boone Jenner got the assist.
Minutes later, Columbus kid Jack Roslovic got his fifth goal of the season of a deflection shot on net. Max Domi and Jakub Voracek got the helpers.
Seattle’s goal scoring came from Jared McCann to cut the lead in half with his 11th goal of the year; winger Jordan Eberle got the assist.
Max Domi got on the board with two goals in a row to close the scoring for Columbus in the second in regulation. This added his total in goals on the season to now 6. On the first one, the helpers came from Jack Roslovic and Jake Bean. The second came with 26 seconds left in the second, and was supported by Jenner and Bjorkstrand. This got Bjorkstrand to 200 career NHL points, and this is a feat for the Danish winger. He becomes the 6th born Danish player with 200 points, and is one of three active playing in the NHL.
The Kraken comeback came in the third with goals by committee. Jaden Schwartz’s power play tally is good for his 6th goal of the season; Joonas Donskoi and Mark Giordano had the helpers. Morgan Geekie added his third of the season; Mason Appleton and Brandon Tanev had the apples. Defender Vince Dunn evened the game with his third of the season with help from Adam Larsson and Calle Jarnkrok.
The overtime winner came 55 seconds in from defenseman Jake Bean for his fourth of the campaign; Jakub Voracek and Sean Kuraly got the closing final points.
Elvis stopped 28 of 32 shots for a 0.875 save percentage; Phillip Grubauer stopped 24 of 29 for a 0.828 save percentage.
CBJ Three Stars of the Game
1. Max Domi— 2 goals (6), assist (8)
2. Oliver Bjorkstrand— 200th career point 1 goal (9), assist (14)
3. Jake Bean— OT GWG (4), asssit (7)
Rumors
They are here, and have been ramping up around the market as of late.
First, let’s start with Ottawa and former Jackets defenseman Michael Del Zotto. MDZ was here last year, and has already been assigned to Belleville four months into a two year deal in favor of prospects in Lassi Thomson and Jared Benard-Docker. He joins Matt Murray in the farm. Nothing the fan comments on wanting him back, look to the contenders to sniff around, but at $2M, may be a depth option.
As for the Jackets side of things:
- Eklund and other top insiders are reporting there is interest in goalie Joonas Korpisalo as a 1B for a playoff team, or as an upgrade over a current backup. Links to Colorado, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh have come up in the last week or so, but could add more as we get near a deadline without a move.
- Aaron Portzline of the Athletic has said:
I will not be surprised that Korpisalo will not finish the season with the Blue Jackets
He also mentioned the availability of wingers Max Domi and Gregory Hoffman come deadline time as they are pending UFAs. In the past, Ek has reported Montreal and Pittsburgh as teams with interest, but that may change to contenders if they retain salary. Domi has 6 goals and 8 assists for 14 points in 16 games played. Hoffman has 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points in 23 games played.
Finally…
Congratulations to F Kent Johnson on making the Team Canada roster for the World Junior Championship, stating Boxing Day (Dec 26)
Thoughts on the rumor mill? More to come…