Post Battle #14 vs Los Angeles Kings  (Blue Jackets)

Final Score: Kings 2 – Blue Jackets 3

Game Summary

You know that feeling when you out play a team but still lose? Everyone always goes "well over the season those will even out." Tonight was one of those even out games. The Blue Jackets picked up the win in a game which through two periods they had no business being in.

The Jackets were outshot 15-8 in the first period and then 8-0 in the second. That is not a typo the Blue Jackets had zero shots in the second period. But they did have the all-important goal lead 2-1 through two. To their credit the team had a great third period. They went out and crushed the Kings getting 17 shots in third, versus just 10 against. This is exactly what you should be doing when you have a lead, just keep piling on. The best offense is a good defence, it’s awfully hard for the opposition to score when you have the puck.

Cody Goloubef was scratched tonight as Torts wanted to get Dalton Prout and his physicality into the lineup. While I think Goloubef is a much better player this wasn’t a terrible decision as the game was rough. If you weren’t going to use Prout in a game like this there would be no reason for him to be on the roster. The game was very physical, scrums after seemingly every whistle. Each team had 26 penalty minutes, including two fights.

Nick Foligno got into it and one punched (or Dalton Prouted if you will) Kyle Clifford. Things got bad enough at one point that Bobrovsky almost joined in.

Speaking of Bobrovsky he had another strong start. He stopped 31 of 33 for a .939 sv%. Big test for Bob will be tomorrow in the second half of the back to back, against the Ducks. The Ducks have been struggling but they are too good of a team to be playing this poorly. Hopefully Bob can keep them down for one more game.

William Karlsson had himself a very strong game. He has received praise from Torts for being the smartest player on the team, and showed that tonight. He was one of just three players to post at least a 50% Corsi. He picked up an assist on Gregory Campbell’s goal, his first point of the season. He also played 2:08 short-handed tied with Alexander Wennberg for second on the team, and behind Brandon Dubinsky. Torts has put a lot of trust into his young centres, in particular to Karlsson.

Stat of the Night

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