Final Score: Ducks 4 – Blue Jackets 2
Game Summary
The Jackets trip through California has not been full of sunshine and rainbows. It’s been doom and gloom for a team that desperately needs points. Carolina has caught up and has tied the Jackets in points, the surging Panthers have been gaining ground for a while and are now just one point back.
This game against the Ducks didn’t have the best start. The Jackets on the back to back took a while to get their legs under them. The Ducks controlled the start, but the Jackets managed to hold them off and got on the board first with a goal from Sonny Milano.
ollie with the kick assist pic.twitter.com/MvFsuNbc0s
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 3, 2018
Milano has been incredible since his recall. He’s now scored two goals in three games and in the game he didn’t score he was arguably the Jackets best skater. I thought his giveaway on the power play against the Kings would lead to a reduction in ice time, but the opposite happened. He played 18:21 over a minute more than last game. He was again was one of the Jackets better forwards. He scored and had a 60% Corsi at 5 on 5, tied for second highest on the team.
That goal was the high point of the night for the Jackets. The Ducks quickly responded with a goal of their own. In the second the Jackets had a couple power plays but were unable to capitalize. Not scoring on the power play is bad enough but again the Jackets for the second game in a row gave up a short-handed goal. They were again too casual with the puck and it lead to a short-handed goal against.
The Ducks third goal came right at the end of a Blue Jackets power play. The Ducks were able to hit Josh Manson with the puck as he got out of the box and he ended up on a breakaway. The Jackets power play had their chances; they had eight shots on four opportunities, but they were unable to pick up the team after those two goals against.
The Jackets scored late in garbage time to make the final score look more respectable. Zach Werenski got a big monkey off his back, scoring for the first time in 25 games.
his twelfth of the season pic.twitter.com/nV4Ik06bYP
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 3, 2018
This is what we’ve Werenski do time and time again. He takes the puck right into the high slot and uses that quick snap shot and gets it through all the traffic.
The Jackets have more game tomorrow in San Jose to end the California trip. They need two points to salvage this trip.
Stat of the Night
Zach Werenski scores his 12th of the season to pull #CBJ within 4-2 with 2:17 left. Ties club record for goals by DEF (Berard, Jones).
— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) March 3, 2018
Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.
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