Final Score: Blue Jackets 5 – Sabres 1
Game Summary
The Jackets came into this game with plenty of rest but watching the first period it looked like the Jackets were the team on the second half a back to back not the Sabres. The Sabres controlled the ice, they had 14 shots and a 36.11% Corsi. The Jackets had their fair share of chances but kept putting the puck off the post. This game had the feeling it was just going to be one of those games.
Sergei Bobrovsky was not going to let that happen. He stopped all 14 of those first period shots and in the second he made this save on Ryan O’Reilly.
Bob is certainly doing Bob things tonight. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/1vi0fWqRCm
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 26, 2017
The kept it as a 1-0 Jackets lead. The Jackets got that lead thanks to a power play goal from Oliver Bjorkstrand.
Welp, good luck stopping that one. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/Ttf3eKwFvl
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 26, 2017
That is Bjorkstrand second goal in two games. He has responded very well to that benching he had against Tampa Bay. Assisting on the goal was Sonny Milano, his second point in two games. John Tortorella does not have the best reputation as a coach, but he has done a great job in Columbus. He always seems to know when his players on complacent and when they need a kick in the pants. Bjorkstrand and Milano were struggling for stretches, Tortorella benched them both and they have responded.
Tortorella, not happy with the first period, shuffled the line for the middle frame. The juggling worked as the Jackets responded with three second period goals and a much better 61.9% Corsi. Seth Jones, who wants to be a 20 goal scorer this season, scored his second of the season.
Second goal of the season for Seth Jones. #CBJ are buzzing tonight. pic.twitter.com/4edNyeHJEx
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 26, 2017
Brandon Dubinsky and Cam Atkinson pick up the helpers. Jones and Werenski are both embracing this “rover… role they have been given and are going to jump into the play more frequently. Here Jones turns a three on three rush into a four on three rush and has the Sabres all out of position. Jones has a ton of open options here when he gets the puck. Atkinson is wide open on the other side had Jones elected not to shoot that. Boone Jenner deserves a ton of praise for this goal as well. He cut right to the front of the net bringing a Sabre with him, then sets up for the perfect screen in front of Chad Johnson.
The next two goals came off a couple lucky bounces. One bounced off of Nick Foligno’s skate and the other tricked through Johnson and Matt Calvert was right in the crease to put it home.
Right place, right time (and right skate) for the captain. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/VcT10vN41t
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 26, 2017
"No no no no noooooo–UGH." – Sam Reinhart. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/0w5YD83aJa
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 26, 2017
Josh Anderson, bumped up to the top line as a result of line shuffling, scored the Jackets fifth goal. The Jackets speed is on full display as they turn a two on three rush into a three on two in an instant.
Fair to say the Sabres D was a bit ... discombobulated on that Josh Anderson goal? Goes from a 3on2 for Buffalo to a CBJ 2on1 right quick. pic.twitter.com/T5U7i495GY
— Jeremy Crowe (@307x) October 26, 2017
Stat of the Night
With the secondary assist, Wennberg gets the 100th of his career. #CBJ
— Alison (@AlisonL) October 26, 2017
Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.
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