Final Score: Wild 3 – Blue Jackets 2
Game Summary This story is growing tiresome. It’s every game and its becoming more and more frustrating each time. The Jackets started off well, had a disastrous second period, relied on Sergei Bobrovsky in the third and ended up with a point.
Sergei Bobrovsky was the reason once again why the Jackets were even close in this game. He stopped 41 of 43 shots, many of which were high danger chances. At 5 on 5 the Wild had an insane 14-4 edge in HD chances. They were controlling the game and were getting their opportunities. Bobrovsky though was up to the test and stood tall.
Vintage Bob. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/7ClGJv1uqX
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) January 31, 2018
The Jackets as mentioned played pretty well in the first. They generated some pressure and created some really good scoring chances. They however only had one goal to show for their efforts.
Tough to tell on these angles whether or not Dubinsky gets a touch on this puck. Looks like it goes off of a Wild player.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/PdGtkujgP2
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) January 31, 2018
Savard puts his shot towards the net, the Jackets had plenty of traffic and the puck re-directs into the net. That was Savard’s third goal of the season. Getting the assist was Dean Kukan his first point of the season. Kukan has been in the last two games in place of Scott Harrington. I thought he’s played decently enough. He brings more upside than Harrington which I prefer. Harrington is a fine plug and play guy for a couple games, but over an extended period like this the team needs someone a little better. Hopefully Kukan can be that player if not the team should start looking at external options.
In the second period each team caught a huge break. The Jackets thought they went up 2-0, but Savard kicked the puck into the net and the goal was overturned. The Wild thought they took a 2-1 lead at the very end of the second period, but they just missed beating the clock.
Robbed by the clock. #MINvsCBJ pic.twitter.com/o3zpymnplD
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) January 31, 2018
The Wild did get that 2-1 lead in the third period and as per usual it was Artemi Panarin putting the team on his back and tying the game up.
Artemi Panarin: difference maker.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/yFcIGzlJVp
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) January 31, 2018
Overtime solved nothing. In the shootout Panarin scored with his usual move but the Wild scored twice to get the extra point.
The Jackets need to do something here. They have played poorly for a while now, the thought was perhaps the break would do them well and they would get back on track, but coming out of the bye week and now the all-star break, things haven’t changed.
Stat of the Night
Had :20 on the season going into tonight. 1:47 so far for this game. https://t.co/mSdH1bKzOH
— Alison (@AlisonL) January 31, 2018
Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.
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