Final Score: Blue Jackets 5 – Islanders 0
Game Summary
Talk about a perfect start to the season. All of the questions surrounding the team were seemingly answered right away. The second line of Sonny Milano, Nick Foligno and Oliver Bjorkstrand a line that I questioned because of a lack of a true centre, was buzzing. The speed and skill was on display as they set up the Blue Jackets first goal.
Light that lamp, Sonny. 👌 pic.twitter.com/47RCiSNiXv
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 6, 2017
Bjorkstrand from behind the net makes an incredible pass to Milano who was streaking into the slot. That was Milano’s first career NHL goal.
From that point on it was the Artemi Panarin show. Sure he didn’t have a hat-trick like Brandon Saad but I don’t think anyone is complaining about a three assist night. He starts by setting up Cam Atkinson with a real nice royal road pass.
That Panarin pass = 😚👌 pic.twitter.com/Wja1Tungqt
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 6, 2017
The puck was probably kicked in but in a 5-0 game it really didn’t end up mattering. Panarin followed it up with an great pass to Ryan Murray who was pinching in from the point.
Breadman serving it up.
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 7, 2017
Two primary assists (so far) in his #CBJ debut. That's pretty darn good. pic.twitter.com/5EZkoqVcVM
Murray doing what he can to up his trade value. Panarin then picked up a secondary assist on the power play on Zach Werenski’s first of the season.
No longer a #teen, still very, very good. pic.twitter.com/wDufb69iUy
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 7, 2017
Finally, Pierre-Luc Dubois in his NHL debut scored his first career NHL goal.
First game, first goal for Pierre-Luc Dubois.#CBJ up 5-0 on the Isles after 40 minutes. Complete dominance. pic.twitter.com/ufCiRei1U7
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 7, 2017
Dubois makes a really heads up play to collect the loose puck and take right into the slot and score. Dubois looked really good in this game. John Tortorella during the pre-season talked about wanting Dubois to be aggressive and make mistakes. He wanted Dubois to buy into the “safe is death… idea. Dubois at least through one game did that. Dubois lead the team with a 65.63% Corsi, his line with Brandon Dubinsky and Matt Calvert was the best possession line. Dubois was put into a really nice spot by the head coach, he's playing alongside two veterans who should give Dubois the confidence to take chances offensively. He doesn’t need to worry about making mistakes because he has players who can cover him. Hopefully this unleashes some of the offensive potential we saw from Dubois during his draft year.
With all the goals you almost forget how strong Sergei Bobrovsky was in net. He picked up the shutout stopping all 29 shots he faced. I talked about him being a slow starter yesterday and it seems like that will not be the case this year. Him getting off to a fast start is going to be key for the Blue Jackets season.
The Jackets do not have long to enjoy this victory. They are right back at it tonight, as they take on the Blackhawks in Chicago.
Stat of the Night
With 3 assists in the 1st two periods, Artemi Panarin is the 1st player to record 3 assists/points in his #CBJ debut in club history.
— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) October 7, 2017
Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.
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