Final Score: Penguins 5 – Blue Jackets 4
Game Summary
If you had of said the Blue Jackets would go into Pittsburgh without Zach Werenki, Alexander Wennberg, Cam Atkinson, Ryan Murray and Brandon Dubinsky and would come away with a point, I think everyone would have been thrilled. That’s exactly what happened but this was not a game to be thrilled about.
The Jackets had leads of 2-0, 3-1, and 4-2, three different two goal leads but could not hold any of them. Evgeni Malkin and Jake Guentzel scored twice late in the third to tie the game and send it to overtime. In overtime, Pittsburgh thought they had won the game on a Sidney Crosby goal, but the Blue Jackets challenged for goaltender interference and in a controversial call, the goal was overturned. The Jackets were not able to take advantage of the call and lost the game in the shootout.
Sergei Bobrovsky was solid in net, but the Jackets needed him to step up in the third period and make the big save and he was unable to do that. You can’t pin the loss of Bobrovsky, blowing leads like that is more than just the goalie, this was a complete defensive breakdown. Pittsburgh deserves a ton of credit for coming back, they have a ton of offensive weapons and the Jackets were unable to keep them off the score sheet.
The Jackets had one player step up in a big way, Artemi Panarin. Panarin scored twice, both times answering a Pittsburgh goal and restabilising a two goal lead. His first goal, the Jackets third, came off a ridiculous stretch pass from Matt Calvert.
A great pass from Calvert leads to a vintage Panarin finish. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/7CoN3tBZsT
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 28, 2017
Panarin was electric in this game. Whenever he had the puck you had that feeling something good was going to happen. His second goal of the game wasn’t as dynamic as the first one, Panarin cleaned up the rebound created by Josh Anderson.
Picking up all of the leftovers like any good Bread would.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/CmWVPu0Mia
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 28, 2017
Panarin shows off his hands here. In tight it’s not easy to raise the puck like that. It’s a nice play by Anderson to get that puck on net, but making it a tough save for Matt Murray. If Anderson shoots that from a better angle Murray could have caught it in his glove or in his chest.
The other player who stepped up was Sonny Milano. He got the Jackets on the board with the games first goal.
Heck of an effort play here by Milano, fighting through a check to get the pass off.
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 28, 2017
He's rewarded with a wide open net seconds later. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/gzTtzQvMZk
Milano has had an up and down season, both figurative and literally. He’s been recalled from Cleveland and is being given a great opportunity to step up and fill a big role in the absence of Wennberg and Atkinson. The Jackets need a top six player and the hope is that Milano can be that player. So far the results have been positive.
The Jackets other goal was scored by Boone Jenner.
This is what a perfect breakout looks like. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/n4QMpKigmN
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 28, 2017
It would be great to see Jenner step up his offensive game. This was his fourth goal of the season, and just 11th point. Oliver Bjorkstrand picked up the primary assist on that goal. He’s quietly had a very strong season. He has 24 points in 38 games. His continued steady production will be a big help in the absence of others.
Stat of the Night
And tonight is scheduled to be @9Artemi's 200th career NHL game.
— Mark Scheig (@markscheig) December 27, 2017
He has amassed 69-113-182 in 199 career games to date. #CBJ #Blackhawks
Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.
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