Columbus Blue Jackets vs. San Jose Sharks Live Blog
Tonight, the Columbus Blue Jackets return home to Nationwide Arena to take on the San Jose Sharks in hopes of winning two games in a row and turning their recent luck around.
Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The Jackets finally pulled off a win last night against the Philadelphia Flyers, which finally put an end to their horrific losing streak. Tonight they take on the San Jose Sharks and hope to build on the success they had last night.
The biggest news tonight is the return of Sergei Bobrovsky and Artem Anisimov. Bobrovsky’s presence has been missed in net lately, and having Arty back in the face-off circle will be a big boost for the Jackets.
The other new face on the ice for the Jackets is defenseman Jordan Leopold. The Jackets acquired him today from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a sixth round draft pick in 2016. Leopold will make his CBJ debut tonight in replacement of Fedor Tyutin, who is out with a lower body injury suffered in last night’s game in Philly.
What to watch for tonight: Special teams. Special teams. Special teams. The Jackets are 5th in the NHL in power play efficiency. Last night, they scored three power play goals. On the flip side, though, is the Jackets’ penalty kill. They also gave up three goals while down a man last night. They’ll have to find a way to be better on the kill, or just STAY OUT OF THE BOX.
That seems like a simple strategy, but with the way the Jackets play, staying out of the box isn’t always a possibility. They are a physical team, and that usually means taking penalties. I’m not saying they should let up, however, because when they do, things don’t tend to go well.
But the PK has to be better.
Here’s hoping it is tonight. Should be a good game, so let’s go!
With all that said, let’s get started with the live blog! Keep checking back here and refreshing the page for in-game updates and reactions throughout tonight’s game!
First Period
20:00 0-0
The puck has been dropped, it’s game time! Go Jackets!
19:50 0-0
Scott Hartnell gets the first shot on goal as he throws the puck toward Sharks netminder Anti Niemi.
19:23 0-0
The Jackets have gotten 3 shots on goal in the first 30 seconds of the game, and haven’t given up any. That’ll work!
17:29 0-0
The Sharks get their first shot on goal of the night, making it 3-1 Jackets in shots thus far. Also, Jody Shelley mentioned that the Jackets need to “stay away from the cute” and play “simple and ugly”. I agree. Trying to play a fancy, cute game isn’t the CBJ way. They play best when they fight hard and play a simple but gritty game. That’s how they need to continue to play if they want to repeat the success they found in Philly last night.
15:11 0-0
It’s wonderful having Bob back in net, but it’s even better when we don’t need him to stand on his head. The Jackets have only given up 1 shot on goal in five minutes, and racked up 5 of their own. Need to keep that up.
13:41 0-0
What was I saying about not needing Bob to stand on his head? Well he just did! The Sharks got three quick shots on net in rapid-fire succession, and Bobrovsky came up big, robbing the Sharks of a goal and keeping the game tied at 0. As Jeff Rimer said, welcome back Bob!
13:21 0-0
The Jackets have given up the last four consecutive shots on net, making the shots tied at 5 apiece. Need to get back down to the offensive zone.
12:00 0-0
Corey Tropp found a loose puck and took it into the offensive zone, but was pushed off the puck by the Sharks’ defense and couldn’t register a shot. The Sharks rebounded and added two more shots on net of their own, putting them ahead 7-5 in shots.
9:12 0-0
The Jackets’ offensive rush was interrupted by an off-sides call. Shots on net 7-6 in favor of the Sharks.
8:33 0-0
David Savard had a great chance on net, but was robbed by Niemi, tying up the shots at 7 and keeping the game tied at 0. The CBJ chant has began to ring around Nationwide, I can hear it on the TV broadcast. Credit to you 5th line! Keep it up!
5:43 CBJ GOAL! 1-0
SAVARD with the GOOOOOOAL! Savard got the pass from Adam Cracknell and sent a one-timer from the point that got past Niemi and put his team up by 1 late in the first. Assists given to Cracknell and Artem Anisimov. Great play, great way to start the game! Always nice to be the first one on the board. (Side note: that marks Anisimov’s 170th career point.)
1:08 1-0
The Sharks got a great shot on goal, making the shots 11-8, but were robbed by Bob again. He looks alert and great in net; it sure is good to have him back!
0:20.4 1-0
The Jackets will get the first power play of the night, as Brent Burns was called for tripping James Wisniewski. JACKETS…. ON… THE…. POWERPLAAAAAAY!
0:00 1-0
The Jackets will have to get the last 1:40 of their power play in the second period, as they close the first out ahead by one.
END OF FIRST PERIOD: Columbus Blue Jackets 1, San Jose Sharks 0
First Period Thoughts: The Jackets stayed out of the box, and it worked! Not giving up a penalty meant no power play chances for San Jose, which was good to see. The Jackets’ power play unit only got 20 seconds of their own time, so we’ll have to wait till the start of the second to see what they can do with the man advantage tonight.
Overall, I liked the speed of the game tonight. Being the second of a back-to-back for the Jackets, they don’t look tired, slow, or sloppy, which is great. They have kept pace with, if not exceeded the Sharks, which was a concern going into the game. Given that the Sharks were already in Columbus when the Jackets returned from Philly last night, it would be easy to use fatigue as an excuse for a lack of speed and effort tonight, but the Jackets haven’t done that. Hopefully they can sustain that level of play all night.
Man it’s good to have Bob back! How many times can I say that in one post? But really, he’s been fantastic tonight. He’s come up with some big saves and elicited cheers around the arena. Not only has he kept his team in the game, but he’s they one the fans are watching tonight. He’s the one that will either get them excited or let them down, and so far he’s done the former. Keeping pucks out of the net is his first job, but he’s also really good at bringing the crowd into the game, which is a big factor for a team who’s fans have been a bit demoralized by the recent losing streak.
Overall, it was a decent period for the Jackets. They played a fast-paced, lively game, created great chances, and came out with a one-goal lead. That’s what we like to see!
The start of the second period will bring the first real look at the CBJ power play tonight, so stay tuned and check out page 2 for second period updates!
Second Period
20:00 1-0
Second period is underway, and the Jackets are on the power play!
18:27 1-0
Logan Couture had the best scoring chance so far this period, and on the Jackets’ power play too.
15:00 1-0
Sots are 12 for the Sharks and 11 for the Jackets in the first 25 minutes of the game. The Jackets spent a long time on defense over the last few minutes, but their defensive units managed to keep the Sharks from registering a shot on net, which was good. Just need to get back down to the other end more.
11:01 1-0
The Jackets haven’t gotten a shot on net in a while now, they are still stuck at 11. The Sharks have 14. Bobrovsky has stood tall in the last few minutes, coming up with some clutch saves to help his team maintain their lead. The Jackets really need to find a way to get the puck back down to the offensive zone and get some pucks to the net.
10:53 1-0
The Sharks are called for goaltender interference, and the Jackets will get their second power play of the night. Hopefully they can get more than the two shots they registered on the first one!
10:10
1:18 left in the PP and the Jackets still don’t have a shot on net on the power play… Not good.
8:43 1-0
After an unsuccessful power play, the Jackets take a penalty of their own. Hartnell will go off for high-sticking, and the Sharks now get their first man-advantage of the night. Here’s hoping the Jackets’ PK is better than it was last night — a one-goal lead makes mistakes unaffordable.
7:36 1-0
Dalton Prout and Boone Jenner work together to clear the puck and break up the offensive pressure the Sharks had been building. Shots 17-12 in favor of San Jose.
6:43 1-0
The Jackets killed off the penalty, back to even strength with the one-goal lead in tact.
4:46 1-0
The Sharks visit the penalty box again! The Jackets will go back on the power play and try to capitalize on their third man-advantage of the night.
4:04 1-0
Wisniewski went top shelf, but was robbed by an AMAZING save by Anti Niemi. What a shot! Unfortunately, it was an even better save!
3:21 CBJ GOOOOOAL! 2-0
CAMSANITY! Cam Atkinson makes it 2-1 Jackets on a beautiful power play goal! Mark #7 on the year for Cam!
0:51 SJS Goal
Joe Pavelski scores the Sharks’ first goal of the night and makes it a 2-1 game.
0:00 2-1
Shots are 21 to 18 in favor of the Sharks. That last goal was not a good one to give up; should have been 2-0 Jackets. Well, it happened, time to move on, regroup, and come out looking even better in the third.
END OF SECOND PERIOD: Columbus Blue Jackets 2, San Jose Sharks 1
Second Period Thoughts: The Jackets maintained the speed and effort that we saw in the first period, which I liked, but they spent way too much time in their own zone. They aren’t keeping possession of the puck, and the stats show it. Their CORSI number was somewhere around 30% for the first period, and it was ONLY 10% for the second period. (For those unfamiliar with advanced stats, CORSI is a shot-attempt metric that is used to estimate puck possession, basically.)
Although the play didn’t seem THAT one-sided, it was pretty clear that the Sharks had more possession and more offensive pressure than the Jackets had all period. The Jackets’ lone goal this period came off the stick of Cam Atkinson on the power play. It was great that they capitalized on the PP, but it highlights their lack of offense during the rest of the period.
Nothing shows it more, though, than giving up a goal with 55 seconds to go in the period. That one stung.
Despite having a lack of possession and control in the second, it wasn’t all bad. The Jackets killed off their penalty and still came out of the second with a one-goal lead. They will, however, need to be better in the third if they hope to come out of this game with two points. 10% possession just won’t cut it for 20 more minutes.
With that, we move to period three! Check out the next page for the rest of the game!
Third Period
20:00 2-1
The third is underway!
18:23 2-1
BOBROVSKY! The Sharks had two awesome chances, and Bob made two HUGE saves to keep his team ahead. Once again, welcome back Bob! We missed you!
16:06 2-1
The Sharks lead in shots 27-18. They’ve had all 6 shots on net this period; the Jackets have yet to register one in the first four minutes.
15:33 2-1
Nick Foligno gets the Jackets’ first shot on net of the period, but is stopped point-blank by Niemi.
14:35 2-1
Cam went straight to the net and tried to shove one past Niemi but was stonewalled at the goal line. Shots now 27-20 Sharks.
13:39 2-1
Ryan Johansen had a great breakaway, but fired the puck right into Niemi’s glove. After the shot, he fell and crashed awkwardly into the net… He seemed to be in some difficulty getting off the ice. It looked like his leg hit the goal post. Please don’t be injured Joey… Please….
After the commercial break it was revealed that Joey’s knee made contact with the post. He didn’t go back to the locker room though, but he spent the time flexing his knee and testing it out. Hopefully it’s nothing serious.
11:42 2-1
The Jackets are winning the face-off battle, being 27-17 in the circle so far tonight.
7:54 2-1
The Sharks had a great opportunity in front of the net, but Dalton Prout kept them from getting a shot. It might have been borderline slashing, but it didn’t get called so we’ll take it! Great defensive effort by Prouter, saved Bob from having to make a tough save.
5:20 2-1
Can I just point out that Bob has saved 29 of 31 shots? Pretty impressive for his first game back from injury. Actually, it’s pretty impressive anyway.
5:18 2-1
Delayed penalty called, the Sharks will maintain possession and keep the play going…
5:00 2-1
The Jackets touch up and go back on the penalty kill. This time, Alexander Wennberg has been assessed a double minor for high sticking, as he bloodied up Scott Hannan‘s face. The Jackets will now spend four of the last five minutes on the penalty kill… clinging on to a one goal lead….
3:34 2-1
Nick Foligno made a great play and cleared the puck.
3:19 2-1
BOB! He came up with another huge denial that sent the puck flying down the ice and out of the zone. Nice clear Bob!
2:28 2-1
BOB AGAIN! Bob comes up with yet another save, and this time he covers it up and forces a face-off to his left.
2:16 2-1
FOLIGNO! Nick has been big on defense on this kill, sending the puck down again.
1:56
Jenner sends the puck flying again. CBJ denying the Sharks any sustained pressure, it’s great defensive hockey! With the recent lack of PK success, this is fun to watch. Nerve-wracking, but fun!
1:05 2-1
BOB! Doesn’t get much better than Bobrovsky right now! His saves are nothing short of unbelievable; he’s the reason his team is still in this game!
1:00 2-1
Jenner comes out, the four minutes are over!
0:27.8 2-1
The Sharks’ net is empty! Jackets call a timeout.
0:08.1 2-1
Patrick Marleau tries to send the puck back into his offensive zone, but it goes onto his bench instead. Play stopped, SJS net still empty. Anisimov wins the all-important faceoff!
0:00 2-1
JACKETS WIIIIIIN! 2 IN A ROW!
Also Bob’s 100th career win! Congrats Bob!
END OF THIRD PERIOD: Final Score — Columbus Blue Jackets 2, San Jose Sharks 1
Third Period Thoughts: The Jackets have officially swept the 2014-15 series with the San Jose Sharks and won their second game in a row!
It’s nice to be back on the winning side of things, isn’t it? As the Jackets get more and more guys back from injury, they seem to be getting back to their style of play, and it’s paying off.
Overall, it was a good game for the Jackets. Although their puck possession left something to be desired throughout the game, they were physical all night long and kept up the speed and pressure they needed to win for the second night in a row.
Considering this was the second game of a back-to-back for the Jackets, they played fairly well. Killing off a 4-minue penalty under immense pressure to hold on to a one-goal lead with 5 minutes to go took a lot of effort, and the Jackets executed it to perfection.
They hardly gave the Sharks any chances to set up any kind of forecheck during the double minor, which was a dramatic difference from the lack of penalty killing effort we saw last night. It was a solid effort, and it lead to the Jackets coming away with two points for two straight nights in a row.
Now, the Jackets have two nights off before they head up to Ottawa on Tuesday. That game is likely to see the return of Matt Calvert and Jack Skille, so stay tuned and go Jackets!