Final Score: Blue Jackets 1 – Flames 0
Game Summary
There is something about Mike Smith that these Jackets can’t figure out. Columbus dominated the shot counter, essentially doubling up Calgary 41-22, but Smith was stopping everything. This was reminiscent of the 60 shot game the Jackets had against Smith and Arizona Coyotes last season, where Smith made 58 saves in what was ultimately a Blue Jackets shootout win. Just like that game Smith was dialled in, he maybe didn’t display the best form all the time, but he somehow managed to keep the puck out of the net.
HOW? #CBJ pic.twitter.com/dtA5v8tCKk
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) November 23, 2017
The Jackets had their share of chances; these weren’t just 41 outside shots. They had 23 scoring chances at 5 on 5, seven at high danger. The best one came early in the game on an Oliver Bjorkstrand breakaway.
Sonny Milano sprung Oliver Bjorkstrand and the Danish forward was unable to finish on the breakaway.
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) November 23, 2017
0-0 #CBJ pic.twitter.com/gUvGZPuPSn
Sonny Milano made the pass to spring Bjorkstrand. Those two were playing alongside Nick Foligno in an effort to get Foligno’s offensive game going. Entering the game Foligno had just eight points in 21 games and had gone pointless in the previous 12 games. Foligno was unable to break the streak in regulation, so he ended it in overtime.
JOSH ANDERSON WITH THE OVERTIME WINNER.
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) November 23, 2017
That's five wins in a row for the Blue Jackets, who are now 7–1 in OT. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/yoMhw2O6Di
Sure it wasn’t a goal, but Foligno needed that. He gets a gift from T.J. Brodie turning the puck over behind the net. Foligno makes a nice pass around a sliding Brodie and gets the puck to Josh Anderson who wins it.
Finally, we have to talk about what was another outstanding performance from Sergei Bobrovsky. This game was much closer than the shot clock indicated. The Jackets had a 54.05% Corsi for the game but that was due to a third period where they had 65.79% of the shot attempts. Through two periods it was really tight, and Bobrovsky had to be good to keep the score tied. Bobrovsky is in some type of zone right now, this was his second shutout in three games and with some of the saves he’s made this season, it’s almost a surprise when goals are scored against him. The Flames had numerous odd man rushes in the game, including a four on one, but none of them felt as dangerous as they were, since Bobrovsky was back there. Stat of the Night
Josh Anderson is the second player in @BlueJacketsNHL history to score the only goal of a regular-season game in overtime, joining Freddy Modin on Dec. 28, 2009 vs. DET. #NHLStats #CGYvsCBJ pic.twitter.com/yNEjCySPrN
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 23, 2017
Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.
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