Final Score: Blue Jackets 4 – Sharks 2
Game Summary
The Jackets to avoid disaster, beating the Sharks to avoid a California sweep. This has been a tough stretch for the Jackets; they have seen both Carolina and Florida spend time in that second wild card position. As things stand right now the Jackets still hold that spot with 71 points but Florida is right there with 70 points and three games in hand. Carolina is still close as well at 69 points.
The Jackets got a much needed win in San Jose to keep pace with those teams. They did it by having another really strong start and then keeping it up for the rest of the game. They never let up, even when the Sharks scored a couple and made things close, they didn’t fold under the pressure and held on for a big two points.
The Jackets start was a weird one. The tied the Sharks in shots at 10. They dominated Corsi at 5 on 5, 70.37%. The Sharks out chanced them 3-1 at 5 on 5 and 6-1 in all situations. Somehow though the Jackets managed to score twice and held a 2-0 lead heading into the first break.
Nick Foligno got them on the board first, scoring his 14th of the season.
Jaws (1975)#CBJ pic.twitter.com/SO6TQV5ovE
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 5, 2018
The second goal was scored by who else but the red hot Sonny Milano. His third goal in his last four games comes on a ridiculous feed from Boone Jenner.
Son of the Mask (2005)#CBJ pic.twitter.com/QST9coeZlo
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 5, 2018
Jenner does an interesting spin move, corals the puck, then passes it through Dylan DeMelo’s legs to Milano one times it in. Milano had another really strong game. His minutes were down compared to the previous games, he played 13:31. Milano isn’t a defensive player so with the Jackets leading he didn’t play as much. But he was still effective. He had a 63.64% Corsi, and was on the ice for three high danger chances.
The Jackets made it 3-0 early in the second period. Artemi Panarin tipped home the Ian Cole point shot.
From Russia With Love (1963)#CBJ pic.twitter.com/Y2eYDir1Xy
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 5, 2018
This Ian Cole-David Savard pair has been incredible. It’s really solidified the Jackets third pair, which has been a problem at times this season. As a pair they have played 49:10, have a 58.24% Corsi, and have been on the ice for 14 high danger chances for and six against, at 5 on 5. All this, while starting just 44.44% of their shifts in the offensive zone.
The Sharks made it a game in the second half. They scored twice and you had the sense the Jackets were once again going to let us down. They did crumble they held on and it was Panarin again, sealing the game with an empty-netter. His 20th goal of the season.
The Jackets are off today, but back at it again Tuesday when the Vegas Golden Knights come to town for their first visit to Nationwide. The Jackets have a four game home stand this week, this is a huge opportunity for them to pick up points and create some separation between them and the teams chasing them in the wild card race.
Stat of the Night
With Panarin hitting 20 goals, the Blue Jackets become the 30th team to have at least one player hit 20 goals. Arizona is now the only team not to have one yet
— Paul Berthelot (@PaulBerthelot) March 5, 2018
Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.
You can follow me on Twitter @PaulBerthelot