Columbus Blue Jackets Clinch Playoff Spot
What we have known since the end of December is now a mathematical fact. The Columbus Blue Jackets are going to the playoffs.
For the third time in franchise history, the Columbus Blue Jackets will be playing post season hockey. The Stanley Cup playoffs will return to Columbus for the this spring for the first time since 2014.
With the 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils the Jackets also break the 100 point mark for the first time in franchise history as well. The Jackets become the second team in the league this season to eclipse the century mark, and do it in the same number of games as the Washington Capitals.
Boone Jenner scored twice including and incredible shorthanded effort that ended up being the game winner. Jenner also buried an empty netter to seal the CBJ weekend sweep.
Penalty Shot Fun
The Jackets made more history as they scored on two penalty shots. Both Lukas Sedlak and Brandon Dubinsky scored marking only the third time in NHL history a team has scored on two such shots.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Dubinsky’s came in a questionable manner in the second period. Josh Anderson drove to the net and was taken out by Dalton Prout. Anderson was awarded the penalty shot but was injured on the play.
The severity of the injury was not known at the time but the Devils argued that Anderson was still on the bench and should have to take the shot. Anderson then stepped off the bench and into the tunnel, although staying within view of the cameras. This allowed Dubinsky to take the penalty shot in his place, and bury the puck.
Anderson then returned to the bench and didn’t miss a shift. Although he did seemed strained for some time after, the Devils were not pleased with Coach Tortorella’s apparent gamesmanship.
Our Favorite Broken Record
Sergei Bobrovsky and the defense shut down the Devils and the game was never in question. Bob did Bob things and stopped 36 of 37 shots. His performance puts him in first in the NHL in wins, goals against average and save percentage.
Bobrovsky now leads @NHL in wins (39), GAA (2.04) & SV% (.931) for goalies with 30+ games. 7-game win streak w/ 1.14 GAA & .963 SV%. #CBJ
— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) March 19, 2017
The race for the Vezina trophy is tight but if the vote was held today, Bob would certainly win. It will be a close vote between Bob, Braden Holtby, and Devan Dubnyk for the title of top goalie in the NHL.
Related Story: Bobrovsky: From Backup to Legend
Coach John Tortorella has said that Bob will get a day off during the remaining back-to-backs. That rest yesterday clearly helped Bob in net against the Devils. He will have two full days off before the Jackets face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday at Nationwide.