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Weekend Recap | What’s Ahead

March 18, 2024, 6:59 PM ET [1 Comments]
Zak MacMillan
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Columbus Blue Jackets split the weekend games between the San Jose Sharks and Winnipeg Jets, thus concluding their season series with both Western Conference squads.

The final against San Jose was 4-2 for the home team; the final against the Jets was 6-1.

CBJ PG67 v San Jose — Sweeping Sharks

The Blue Jackets new top line stole the show in a 4-2 win against the league worst Sharks at Nationwide Arena on “Stone Cold” Steve Austin Day.

Period I

Boone Jenner opened the scoring for the game with his 21st of the season from Johnny Gaudreau and Damon Severson in the final minutes of the first.

Period II

Alex Nylander got his seventh as a Blue Jacket 49 seconds into the period from Ivan Provorov and Zach Werenski.

Fabian Zetterlund got the road team on the board with his 18th of the season with the assists to Mario Ferraro and Mikael Granlund.

Gaudreau answered back for the home team late for his 11th this year with his linemates, Nylander and Jenner, for their apples.

Period III

Henry Thrun got his second of the second from Kevin LaBanc.

Nylander got a the empty netter in the final minute and change for his second of the game and eighth of the season from Gaudreau.

Players to Watch

Klim Kostin had one shot and a -1 in 15:57TOI.

Johnny Gaudreau got three points to get to 50 points on the season. Still a near career low, but a goal and two apples is a big plus.

Goaltenders

Michael Chorona allowed 3 goals on 19 shots faced.

Daniil Tarasov had 39 saves on 41 shots for a 0.951 save percentage.

CBJ THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1. Daniil Tarasov — W, 39 saves, 95.1SV%

2. Johnny Gaudreau — GWG (11), 2 apples (39)

3. Alex Nylander — 2 goals (8), assist (3)

CBJ PG68 v Winnipeg Jets — No Luck

The Blue Jackets were crushed by the Winnipeg Jets by the final score of 6-1.

Period I

Kyle Connor got the opening goal about 90 seconds into the game for his 29th of the year from Mark Scheifele and Dylan DeMelo.

Period II

Nikolaj Ehlers got the early goal in the middle frame for his 20th of the season from Tyler Toffoli and Sean Monahan.

Toffoli got the midway extension for his 29th of the campaign from Ehlers and Monahan.

Minutes later, Logan Stanley got his first of the season unassisted.

Vladislav Namestinkov got the fifth unanswered goal in the final 90 seconds for his ninth of the season from Morgan Barron and Neal Pionk.

Period III

Brendan Gaunce lit the lamp for his second of the season just 39 seconds in from Jake Christiansen and Mathieu Olivier.

Toffoli got his second of the evening unassisted.

Players to Watch

Toffoli — 3 points in the new town. What a night.

Werenski — seemed gassed despite the ice time. -4 and 3 shots in 26 minutes. Get the kids and other guys some time.

Goaltenders

Connor Helllybuck had 30 saves on 31 shots for a 0.968 save percentage.

Elvis Merzlikins allowed all 6 goals on 27 shots faced for a 0.778 save percentage.

CBJ THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1. Brendan Gaunce — goal (2)

2. Jake Christiansen — assist (2)

3. Mathieu Olivier — assist (5)

What’s Next?

The Blue Jackets have the chance to make some chaos before they are mathematically eliminated from the postseason. They begin the road trip with the struggling Red Wings; then back to back with Colorado and Vegas at week’s end.

With more injuries, now adding Adam Boqvist back to the IR, the Monsters are getting their recalls during their race. We have seen Christainsen, Fix-Wolansky, and Pyyhita over the previous handful of games. We will see what comes from it on the ice.
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