Final Score: Blue Jackets 3 – Kings 2
Game Summary
The Blue Jackets did not start their toughest stretch of the season the way they would have liked. They won in the shootout, a franchise record 10th straight win, but overall did not play very well. The Kings absolutely dominated the game outshooting the Jackets 46-27 and had an incredible 59.05% Corsi at 5 on 5. The Jackets had to rely on their goaltender to win this game. Curtis McElhinney was doing his best Sergei Bobrovsky impression, stopping 44 of 46 shots.
Cam Atkinson continued this ridiculous run he's been on, scoring both Jacket goals. The first goal came off some great work below the goal line by Boone Jenner and Brandon Dubinsky. The play starts in the neutral zone where David Savard dumps it in. Jenner beats his man to the puck and controls it. He passes to Dubinsky who takes it to the front of the net and passes it right to Atkinson who was at the side of the net.
can't leave cam all alone in front like that pic.twitter.com/9pL1wvtxIv
— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) December 21, 2016
On the second goal, Dubinsky is again doing work down low. He throws the puck out to the slot and Cam shows off just how good his shot it and blasts it.
.@CamAtkinson13's 100th @NHL goal!#CBJ pic.twitter.com/D4dAIpOrWo
— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) December 21, 2016
That goal was Atkinson’s 100th career NHL goal. He now leads the team with 14 goals. He also extended his point streak to seven games, scoring 12 points over those games.
Cam was not done there. He also scored the shootout winner with this filthy move.
.@NHL does this count as a hat trick pic.twitter.com/xx9dKFjspk
— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) December 21, 2016
Cam blocked a shot last night and today we found out that he has injured his foot.
Cam Atkinson in walking boot after blocking shot last night. Good news: it's not broken. Bad news: uncertain about tomorrow's game v Pens.
— Tom Reed (@treed1919) December 21, 2016
Cam is playing on another level right now, so this news is very unfortunate. I would guess he plays tomorrow but he probably won’t be at 100%.
Stat of the Night
Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.
You can follow me on Twitter @PaulBerthelot