Columbus Blue Jackets VS Washington Capitals: Game Summary
The Blue Jackets were in Washington tonight to take on the capitals, one of their new Eastern Conference rivals. Neither team have had the season that they hoped for so far, and both teams are seeking two points tonight.
First Period:
Nov 12, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky (17) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period at the Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
The Jackets players and coaches both want a change in how they have been playing, and they came out showing it. The Jackets looked great in the first period, getting 12 shots on goal compared to Washington’s 7. Although there were no goals on the score sheet, it is very apparent that the Jackets came to play.
The Jackets ended this period leading many stat categories. Nikita Nikitin and Jack Johnson both had three blocked shots, and the Jackets had 10 total blocked in the period. They also won 11 of the 18 total faceoffs in the first.
Derek Mackenzie left the ice early in the first period, and would not return for the remainder of the period due to a lower body injury.
Second Period:
The intensity greatly increased in the 2nd period. The Blue Jackets were the first to flex their muscles when Brandon Dubinsky scored his third short-handed goal of the season.
The Jackets had very active sticks throughout the period, which seemed to be disrupting to the Capitals offense. That is, until John Carlson scored a goal into a wide open net after Sergei Bobrovsky tried to grab the puck off the stick of Martin Erat.
The teams went to the locker room after the 2nd period tied 1-1.
Third Period:
Nov 12, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Mark Letestu (55) passes the puck as Washington Capitals defensman Karl Alzner (27) defends during the first period at the Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
The 3rd period started early with the Capitals answering Dubinsky’s earlier short handed goal with one of their own by Joel Ward.
Shortly thereafter, Jared Boll scored his first goal of the season by settling in front of the net and redirecting a shot from the point from James Wisniewski. This tied the game 2-2.
Less than three minutes later, Dubinsky sent Cam Atkinson and beautiful go-ahead pass. Cam was able to breakaway and send the puck right between the legs of Braden Holtby.
Then, with less than two minutes to play, Mikhail Grabovski was able to score on Sergei Bobrovsky and take the game to overtime.
Overtime:
Nov 12, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) makes a save against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first period at the Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
The overtime period was a short one, with nothing spectacular to report. Two minutes into overtime, Alexander Ovechkin was able to score the game winner. The Blue Jackets lose in overtime 4-3.
My Thoughts:
After the game tying goal late in the third, and the overtime game winner, Bobrovsky was visibly infuriated. I think this is good. On one hand, he has played very well at times in the season, but at other times, he has let through weak goals that he should have easily stopped. The hope here is that he has had enough and will start stepping up his game.
There were some shining moments that happened during this game for the Jackets, but there were too many bad things to overcome.
Next up: Columbus @ Boston on Thursday night.