Final Score: Blue Jackets 3 – Oilers 1
Game Summary
The Jackets for the second time in two games came out flat to start. The Oilers outshot the Jackets 11-5 and had a 54.55% Corsi in the first period. The Jackets found themselves behind 1-0 but managed to keep the game close thanks to the penalty kill and strong goaltending from Sergei Bobrovsky.
The Oilers had four power plays, including a mistakenly given double minor late in the first. Jack Johnson and Milan Lucic were battling in the corner; Connor McDavid came in to help and got clipped in the face by Lucic’s stick. The refs thought it was Johnson’s stick and gave the Oilers a power play. The Jackets PK did a tremendous job killing off that penalty which really seemed to swing momentum to the Jackets.
Matt Calvert in particular was big on the PK. He was very aggressive on the Oilers players, taking away their time and space. He also had to spend a good chunk of that double minor without a stick. David Savard broke his and took Calvert’s. With it being the second period and the long change Calvert was unable to get back to the bench to retrieve a new stick. Even without a stick he was aggressive throwing checks and getting in the way of shots. All his hard work paid off as the Oilers went 0 for 4 on the PP. He was later rewarded in the game by scoring the Jackets third goal, sealing the game.
Matt Calvert given too much room and he makes the Oilers pay on the short side. 3-1 Jackets. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/Vj0C7bnNEe
— Buckeye State Hockey (@BuckeyeStHockey) December 14, 2016
After that penalty kill early in the second the Jackets took over the game. They had a 71.43% Corsi at 5 on 5 and 10 scoring chances in the period. The third was more of the same though not to the same extent. The Jackets had a 54.17% Corsi, finishing the game at 58.11%. They did a terrific job at making the Oilers skill players like McDavid, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins defend where they are much less effective.
Despite the strong play the Jackets were only able to beat Cam Talbot once at 5 on 5, the Calvert goal above. The power play however was there when the team needed it, picking up the slack and it was none other than former Oiler Sam Gagner getting things started.
Gagner scored the first goal off a ridiculous re-direction. Wennberg had the puck on the half-wall and Gagner was positioned in the slot. Wennberg shot the puck at Gagner who had his skate in the perfect spot to direct the puck in.
Sam Gagner scores to tie it up. Helpers from Wennberg and Werenski. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/0AfP1LquQ3
— Buckeye State Hockey (@BuckeyeStHockey) December 14, 2016
Gagner was not done there. He also set up the Jackets second goal, on what was a great pass and bad coverage by the Oilers.
Cam Atkinson helps the Jackets take the lead. Gagner with a no look pass and Atkinson doesn't miss. 2-1. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/MbhZHnI854
— Buckeye State Hockey (@BuckeyeStHockey) December 14, 2016
Gagner gets the puck and then is surrounded by three Oilers. They can’t get the puck from him and he makes a sick no look feed to Cam Atkinson who rips it. It was a great play by Gagner to make that pass with such little space. He reacted quickly and knew where Atkinson was on the ice. A very smart play. Gagner continues to lead the team in goals, now with 12. Atkinson is not far behind him at 11.
With the win the Jackets now have 40 points on the season. Last year it took them until late January before they recorded their 40th point. Up next they continue their Western Canada road trip with a game against the Calgary Flames on Friday.
Stat of the Night
McDavid's biggest opposition: David Savard & Jack Johnson. He had a 40% CF or lower against both of them.
— Buckeye State Hockey (@BuckeyeStHockey) December 14, 2016
We live in a bizzaro world. #CBJ
Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.
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