Final Score: Blue Jackets 8 – Blues 4
Game Summary
For the second time in about a week the Jackets lit up one of the top teams in the league. The Jackets rebounded nicely from the game against Boston and while they didn’t score 10 like they did against Montreal, they came close, defeating the Blues 8-4.
Sam Gagner scored twice including the opening goal. Both goals were very similar. Gagner managed to get himself to the front of the net and was able to roof a backhand.
Sam's fifth of the season! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/ce56MOmik3
— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 13, 2016
He is now up to six goals on the season, after having just eight all of last season with the Flyers. He has been such a steal for the Jackets this season and is on pace for another 40 point season. Not bad value for a player making under a million dollars.
Nick Foligno scored the Jackets second goal off a great give and go play with Brandon Saad. Saad made a real nice play to get the puck and immediately flip it past the defencemen and to Foligno. Folingo’s shot caught a piece of Jake Allen but trickled into the net.
That's a home team bounce! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/PzDcdyzNlL
— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 13, 2016
That is the type of goal Foligno was not getting last season. These are the goals that come to mind when people discuss about players not controlling their shooting percentage. Some goalies are going to stop that shot, and sometimes they will get just enough of the puck and it will squeak wide. Foligno has been playing at a very high level to start this year and when you are playing well those goals seem to go in.
Alexander Wennberg scored the third goal, he just threw it towards the net and it got tipped by a couple Blues players and went in. Another fluke sort of goal, but again when you are playing everything seems to go your way. Wennberg and the Blue Jackets will certainly take it.
we'll take it.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/mKrSsuIioq
— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 13, 2016
Markus Nuutivaara also got into the action scoring his first NHL goal. He joined the rush, streaking into the slot and Cam Atkinson found him with a great pass.
Another game, another #CBJ first.
— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 13, 2016
Markus Nutivaara scores his very first @NHL goal! pic.twitter.com/ZDK7UZYECB
Despite the positive outcome this was not the most well-played game. Now I don’t want to complain too much about a team that just scored eight goals, but there were a few things from this game that stood out. The penalty kill in particular was poor. The Jackets came into the game with a very successful PK. However as I have mentioned before, they are due for some regression, and regression hit them hard in this one. The Blues converted on four of their five power plays. The Blue Jackets PK dropped to 13th in the league after this game.
Stat of the Night
Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.
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