Scott Hartnell Records Goal in 1,000th Game as Blue Jackets Fall 4-3
3. 113. 4. 67. Final
The Columbus Blue Jackets couldn’t hold on to one of the worst play-from-behind teams in the league, and allowed quick responding-goals as the 1,000th game of Scott Hartnell ended on a bit of a down note, as the defending Stanley Cup champions Los Angeles Kings finished a season sweep over the Blue Jackets with a 4-3 victory.
The Kings, who came into tonight with just seven wins when allowing the first goal of the game, did just that, as less than two minutes in, Jack Skille tried to find Artem Anisimov in front of Jonathan Quick, but the puck deflected off the skate of LA’s Jamie McBain and found the back of the net for the quick score.
However, seemingly off the very next faceoff, the Kings caught the Jackets on the tail end of a change, and caught Cody Goulebuf and Jordan Leopold way out of position and not ready for the play as our old pal Jeff Carter sent the puck in front and Dwight King sent it past Curtis McElhinney to tie the game. The Kings would get goal number two later on in the first period, thanks to Tyler Toffoli.
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Because of course it was bound to happen, Scott Hartnell would make his 1,000th game a memorable one, as he got a goal by faking Quick out of his pads and was able to slide it past him to tie the game at two. But, once again, just like after the first goal, less than 90 seconds, the Kings responded – this time off the stick of our old friend Carter – and it was back to a one goal lead for LA.
The largest deficit of the day was a two-goal one, as less than two minutes into the third period, Dustin Brown lit the lamp (another former Blue Jacket, Marian Gaborik, got the assist) to make it a 4-2 game.
In the closing minutes, David Savard beat Quick to make it a one goal game, but that’s where it would stay in the 4-3 Kings win.
Statistically, it was a classic 2014/15 Columbus Blue Jackets affair. The Jackets were severely outshot, 44-26, but the Blue Jackets did win in the faceoff circle 36-23. Even with the four goals allowed, Mac still finished with a .909 save percentage.
I feel like the Jackets have played a host of games over the past handful of days, but they’ll have a bit of time off before taking the ice for a game again on Friday. What did you think of tonight’s performance? What do the Blue Jackets need to improve on from this game? Let us know in a comment below or on twitter @UnionandBlue.