Columbus Blue Jackets Tame Wild 1-0

The Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Minnesota Wild Thursday night 1-0. Brandon Saad scored the lone Blue Jacket goal. The Jackets have earned points in six of the last seven games. The win earned the Jackets sole possession of second place in the Metropolitan division.

The Columbus Blue Jackets gutted out at 1-0 win over the Western Conference leading Minnesota Wild on Thursday night. The win moved the Jackets to second place in the Metropolitan division. Columbus now sits two points ahead of both the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers. The win Thursday is the Jackets 40th on the season. This is the fourth time in franchise history the team has recorded 40 or more wins in a season.

Bobrovsky Continues to Impress

Sergei Bobrovsky continued his impressive play of late. Bobrovsky turned away all 38 shots he faced against the Wild. The win was his 33rd of the season, a career high for him. Thursday was also Bobrovsky’s 4th shutout of the season, and his 16th shutout for his career. Bobrovsky has not let in a regulation goal since the game against the New York Rangers on February 26th. The last goal in that game coming in the dying seconds.

The game did not appear to be a shutout in the second period. Wild forward Erik Hualu looked to have given Minnesota a one goal lead. Upon further review, the goal was disallowed on the basis that Hualu displayed a distinct kicking motion that lead to the puck going off William Karlsson and into the net. The war room in Toronto came through for Columbus. Bobrovsky stood tall from there on out and preserved the shout out.

Columbus Blue Jackets

New Comers Get Shot Immediately

The newest members of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Kyle Quincey and Lauri Korpikoski both dressed and skated substantial minuets in their first games as Blue Jackets. Korpikoski filled the roll of Markus Hannikainen who was sent down to AHL Cleveland before the game. Quincey filled the spot of Markus Nutivaara.

Quincey skated 14 minutes on Thursday and registered a shot on goal and two hits. Korpikoski skated on the left wing on the line with Josh Anderson and William Karlsson. Korpikoski skated for 10 minuets and had a shot on goal.

Coach John Tortorella said after the game the usage of Quincey and Nutivaara will be fluid through out the rest of the season and expects to use everyone through the grueling stretch of games this March.

Penalty Kill Comes up Big When Needed.

The Minnesota Wild had four power play opportunities Thursday Night. Going into the game Thursday, the Jackets ranked 10th in the league in PK efficiency with an 82.21% rate of killing off opponents chances.

Brobrovsky was the teams best penalty killer giving the Jackets every opportunity to stay in the game. The skaters in front of Bob did their job as well blocking 15 wild shots on the night.

The Road Ahead

The win Thursday starts off the month of March on a good note. The Jackets will need all the good fortune they can get. The month of March will consist of 16 games for the CBJ, 10 of those games as a part of back to backs.

Columbus will face divisional opponents eight times throughout the month. The first set of back to backs starts this Friday as the Jackets head up to Ottawa to face the Senators. Columbus then faces a quick turnaround as they face the New Jersey Devils Sunday at 5 P.M.