Final Score: Blue Jackets 4 – Vegas 1
Game Summary
The start the Jackets had what just what needed to get going against Vegas. In their first meeting the Jackets might have been “playing guilty… as John Tortorella would put it. They looked overwhelmed by the speed of Vegas and were out of the game before it really ever got going. This time it was going to be different and it certainly was.
Artemi Panarin scored 16 seconds into the game. He went to the net and banged in a rebound created by Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Bird's eye view of that Panarin goal – just 16 seconds in – and this one was a full team effort. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/Gp9DyROLZm
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 7, 2018
This was just what the team needed to get them into the game and give them that feeling of yeah we can play and skate with this team.
This goal was also key in settling things down in front of surprise starter Joonas Korpisalo. Sergei Bobrovsky was in line to start this game but came down with an illness forcing Korpisalo to step in. Goalies just like pitchers in baseball can be creatures of habit and something like this throws off their whole routine. Korpisalo talked after the game how it was a surprise to be named the starter but he was excited to play and excited to take on Vegas. Korpisalo was simply fantastic in this game. Vegas thoroughly out played the Jackets outshooting them 38-21 and had a 56.84% Corsi at 5 on 5.
The Jackets defence notably David Savard and Ian Cole, did a great job at limiting Vegas’ chances despite that territorial advantage. Vegas only had seven high danger chances at 5 on 5 to the Jackets six. The defence did what they could to make the job a little easier on Korpisalo. They weren’t perfect and when they slipped up Korpisalo was there making the big save. He stopped 37 of 38 shots, for a .974 save percentage. This was his best game of the season, and one of the best non-shutout games of his career.
A healthy Ryan Murray is a thing of beauty. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/6oND0pYIuw
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 7, 2018
Ryan Murray didn’t have a great game (21.43% Corsi) but he makes a great play here to take away a scoring chance.
The defencemen were also helping out on the offensive side of the puck as well. Zach Weresnki stepped into a slap shot and gave the Jackets a 2-1 lead in the second period.
Werenski's 13th of the season comes at an opportune time for the Blue Jackets. Naturally, Panarin was the player to find an open Werenski.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/MazBGBs3uL
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 7, 2018
No defencemen has set the cannon off more in a single-season than Weresnki. His 13th goal sets a new franchise record for goals by defencemen, surpassing Seth Jones (2016-17) and Bryan Berard (2005-06).
From the most we go to a first. Ian Cole, who was robbed of his first goal in the Jackets previous game, against the Sharks would not be denied in this game. He threw a puck on net, Marc-Andre Fleury didn’t play it well and it ended up in the back of the net.
This Clean Cole Goal now gives him points in two straight games.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/1Wanf1GLl9
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 7, 2018
That was Cole’s first as a Blue Jacket and fourth of the season. Of his four goals, three have come against his former teammate.
Finally Pierre-Luc Dubois scored an empty-netter to seal it. Dubois more than any other player, deserved that goal. He scored a tremendous goal early in the first period. The Jackets had the puck for 33 seconds in Vegas’ end. They took some shots won a couple board battles and Dubois makes a great individual effort to score.
Didn't count, but goals like this are the reason why PLD went third overall. Power, skill and a wicked shot. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/kXtDpDST4J
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 7, 2018
Unfortunately the Golden Knights challenged and it was ruled the initial zone entry was off-side. This rule needs to be adjusted. The zone entry had nothing to do with the goal. Some sort of time limit needs to be implemented.
The Jackets were able to rebound from this and score a couple more goals and giving them a huge win over Vegas.
Stat of the Night
.@9Artemi with his 21st of the season 16 seconds in gets #CBJ on the board. Fastest Jackets goal to start a game this season, besting the goal by Anderson 30 seconds in to Dec. 9 vs. Arizona contest.
— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) March 7, 2018
Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.
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