Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
The Columbus Blue Jackets headed down to the Nassau Coliseum tonight to take on the New York Islanders in the first away game of the season. The Blue Jackets had to face off against John Tavares and veteran goalie Evgeni Nabokov. The Islanders won last night in New Jersey and looked to take advantage of home ice tonight. The Coliseum sounded loud and ready for the game, and what a game they saw.
The first period ended scoreless, but it wasn’t uneventful. The game started out fast paced, both teams were flying and the period was pretty balanced on each end, maybe slightly tipping in favor of the Blue Jackets. The Dubinsky line fought hard behind the net, and had a few chances in the offensive zone.
The defense started out much better than they did in last nights game, and Dalton Prout stuck out as playing well in the defensive zone. Both goalies played well, neither had to stand on their head, but nonetheless, they both kept the puck out of the net. Shots were 9-4 in favor of the Islanders.
Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
The second period saw a dramatic change in the play, not from the beginning, but once the Islanders capitalized on their power play. Lubomir Visnovsky scored on the power play for the Islanders, putting them on the board first. Once that power play goal was scored the Blue Jackets became rattled, and play tilted heavily in favor of the Islanders.
The Islanders also put a second goal up on the scoreboard during the period. Matt Moulson put in a goal, which was assisted by John Tavares. Moulson was not covered 100% and took advantage. The period ended with the Islanders up by two goals.
The third period saw the Blue Jackets gain the momentum back because of a power play goal of their own. Mark Letestu buried a wrist shot on Nabokov and put the Blue Jackets within one. There was a solid 20-30 seconds of good power play time for the Blue Jackets and Letestu nets one, power play now at 2/5.
The second Blue Jackets goal came from….? Ryan Johansen? Nick Foligno was the last Jacket to touch the puck, so I assume that will be changed. R.J. Umberger came out of the neutral zone with speed and took the puck hard to the net to cause the confusion in front of Nabokov. The Blue Jackets may have got a lucky bounce, but the puck still ended up in the back of the net.
OT was a continuation of the fast paced game that we saw during most of the periods. Bobrovsky came up huge during the NYI power play in OT, making a spectacular kick save to keep the game alive.
Oct 5, 2013; Uniondale, NY, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Cam Atkinson (13) scores on New York Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabokov (20) during the shootout at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Columbus won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
The game wasn’t decided in the five minute overtime, so the game was to be finished with a shootout. Mark Letestu scored the first for the Blue jackets, and Cam Atkinson won it in the shootout for Columbus. Columbus will leave New York with their first two points!
What a comeback win, hard work and determination, which is what Columbus is known for, prevailed in the third period. These last two games have really taken a toll on us fans emotionally. The Blue Jackets almost created the comeback last night, and now tonight they pull through to tie the game, and get two points with a shootout win. It will still be nice to get a regulation win though, which could come in Buffalo on the 10th.