Final Score: Blue Jackets 3 – Stars 2
Game Summary
Another game and another strong performance from Sergei Bobrovsky. It’s only been eight games but it feels like the story has been the same for each one. Bobrovsky has been outstanding this season and it continued against the high flying Stars.
The Blue Jackets had their difficulties in this one. They controlled just 44.04% of the shot attempts at 5 on 5. Dallas had the puck a lot but the Jackets did quite well at keeping the puck to outside and allowing low quality shots. They out chanced the Stars 19-18 at 5 on 5 and had seven high danger chances to the Stars six. The Jackets started slow in the first period, with a 32.5% Corsi, and allowed 18 shots. They came out of the period tied at zero, as Bobrovsky was perfect stopping all 18, including this robbery on Jamie Benn.
FYI: Bob made 18 saves in that first period.
— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 1, 2016
18. pic.twitter.com/glEejG8SsQ
I think Benn is going to be quite happy not to see Bobrovsky again. Bob has made some huge saves on Benn in their two meeting this season. Benn could easily of had two or three goals, he was generating a lot of chances. Bobrovsky also took away an assist from Benn with this save on Antoine Roussel.
this bobrovsky fellow is v good pic.twitter.com/RdtqeYYomZ
— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 2, 2016
Nick Foligno got the scoring started for the Jackets. Foligno was able to get himself open in the slot, Zach Werenski found him with the pass and Foligno roofed it over the glove of Antti Niemi.
just in the Nick of time! pic.twitter.com/2p7vJlySlr
— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 2, 2016
For Foligno that is his second goal and ninth point of the season. It took Foligno 26 games last season to score his second goal and 22 to record his ninth point. The big thing for him this season is he isn’t suffering from horrible shooting luck. Thus far in the season he is shooting 16.7% in all situations which is much closer to his 2014-15 season (17.0%) than his 2015-16 season (8.1%). He’s also been one of the beneficiaries of the strong Blue Jackets power play. He already has a goal and three assists on the power play, after scoring no goals and 13 assists all of last season with the man-advantage.
Dallas answered that goal and tied the game on a nice goal by Jason Spezza. They took the lead early in the third on a goal by Tyler Seguin and for the majority of the period it looked like that was going to be the game winner. Sam Gagner though had other plans.
Not over 'til it's over.
— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 2, 2016
Watch @89SGagner's late third period goal! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/9xFEvPJGu9
Gagner is really showing why his signing was praised by so many. He has a ton of skill and has been around 40 points every season of his career save last year. He’s already up to four points in seven games, a quarter of his total from last season. He’s also been a big part of the team’s power play with two goals and an assist on the PP, already matching his totals from last season.
Finally, not to be forgotten, Seth Jones scored the OT winner.
Seth Jones ended up winning the game for Columbus, showing that the future is bright in the capital city, especially on D. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/e6TMDndlhl
— SB (@Sam_Blazer) November 2, 2016
Jones has flown somewhat under the radar this season. A lot of focus has gone to Zach Werenski, and Jones has quietly been very good. He has four points in eight games, and has been a workhorse averaging 24:17 minutes a game, the most among skaters.
Stat of the Night
Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.
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