The Columbus Blue Jackets are continuing to get points in their home building, with getting three of a possible four, before their current series begins with the Tampa Bay Lightning, the reigning and defending undisputed back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions.
First, they suffered a shootout defeat to Mr. Brightside and the Ottawa Senators, by the final score of 2-1. The lone goal scorer in regulation for the Jackets was Jack Roslovic, who got his 20th regular season goal. Rookies Cole Sillinger and Kent Johnson had the assists. For Ottawa, Brady Tkachuk had the lone regulation goal; his 29th was aided by Drake Batherson and Josh Norris. In the shootout, Tim Stuzle had the winner. Fillip Gustavsson was the starter for the Sens, allowing only one goal on 34 shots for a 0.971 save percentage. Elvis Merzlikins allowed one in 26 for a 0.962.
CBJ Three Stars of the Game
1. Jack Roslovic — goal (20)
2. Kent Johnson — assist (2)
3. Cole Sillinger — assist (14)
A four goal third period with the help of all the kids in attendance propelled the Jackets over the Edmonton Oilers, 5-2.
Evander Kane opened the scoring for the Oilers and the game with his 21st; Connor McDavid had the lone assist.
Eric Robinson responded with his 10th of his shortened campaign; Jakub Voracek and Nick Blankenburg had the first Columbus assists.
The final Edmonton goal came in the second period from Leon Draisaitl for his 55th; McDavid and Barrie helped clean up the score sheet with points for themselves.
The four goal third period began with Oliver Bjorkstrand’s 25th; Cole Sillinger and Gustav Nyquist had the helpers. Nick Blankenburg got the game winner with a power play marker, which was his first career NHL professional goal; Bjorkstrand and Voracek had the helpers. Jack Roslovic’s 21st had help from Nyquist and Voracek. Sillinger’s 15th came on an empty net with the lone helper by Bjorkstrand.
Mikko Koskinen allowed 4 goals on 30 shots for a 0.862 save percentage; Elvis Merzlikins allowed 2 on 35 for a 0.943 save percentage.
All three former Blue Jackets on the Oilers were held off the scoresheet, though Devin Shore had a 60% winning percentage in the faceoff dot; Kris Russell was a -1; and Derrick Brassard disappeared.
Roslovic is now 9 goals past his original season high, having 12 the last two seasons. Robinson, now at 10 goals, is 2 past his previous high mark of 8; and Bjorkstrand’s 25 is 2 past his previous from the 2018-19 season (23).
CBJ Three Stars of the Game
1. Nick Blankenburg— GWG PPG (1) — first career goal
2. Oliver Bjorkstrand— goal (25), 2 assists (28)
3. Jakub Voracek— 3 assists (54)
The last time the Jackets and Lightning played each other was January 4, 2022, in a 7-2 blowout. Tonight, expect the same with their top scorers rolling into playoff mode. Winger Nikita Kucherov has 15 points in his last 5 games; Victor Hedman had 12 assists in his past 5; and Steven Stamkos just passed Martin St. Louis for the all time point scorer on the Lightning.
They are looking to three-peat after adding forwards Brandon Hagel and Nic Paul at the trade deadline, giving up younger roster players and first round picks. The Bolts also just extended backup goaltender Brian Elliott to a one year contract worth $900K.