On the back end of a back-to-back the Columbus Blue Jackets give up five straight goals to the Buffalo Sabres. Jackets lose big opportunity to make up ground on Washington.
Well, that wasn’t great. For the second straight night the Columbus Blue Jackets faced off against the Buffalo Sabres, this time in Western New York. The CBJ got off to a great start, scoring three first period goals and dominating play in the first 20 minutes.
David Savard netted the puck for the second time in as many games to lead off the scoring for the Jackets at 7:09. That was followed by a beauty of a goal from Nick Foligino and then easy finish by Oliver Bjorkstrand to make it 3-0.
The Columbus Blue Jackets were able to chase Buffalo starting goalie Anders Nilsson as he only stopped nine of the 12 shots he faced in the first period. And from here on out, the reading gets dark.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Blown Opportunities
Columbus sat up three goals with 40 minutes to play against one of the worst teams in the league but were unable to buckle down and ride out the rest of the game. Buffalo came out and scored just 18 seconds into the second period. The remainder of the game, the Jackets looked like the team we had come to know in past seasons. They didn’t control the puck, or their emotions, and were unable to finish the game out like a contender does.
With the door opened, Buffalo put up two more goals in the second, and two more in the third to take the win 5-3. The Jackets were plagued by penalties throughout the the final two periods. The Sabres were able to convert on two power plays, not surprising for the #1 power play in the NHL this season.
The Columbus Blue Jackets should have walked away from this game with two points. This game was a prime opportunity to gain ground on the division leaders. The Washington Capitals ended up losing their third straight game to the Kings last night but the Jackets let this chance slip away.
Related Story: Calder Trophy Chatter for Zach Werenski
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins regained 2nd place in the division, and league, with their fifth straight win in Vancouver last night. With prime opportunities like this, the Jackets can’t afford to play like they did last night. Cup contenders slam the door shut on inferior teams like the Sabres when they are up 3-0 after one period.
Game Notes
- David Savard scored giving him 20 points on the season. He joins 14 other Blue Jackets to reach 20 points.
- Ryan Murray left in the first period after he blocked a shot with his right hand.
- Sam Gagner continued his great play tallying two assist and extended his point streak to five games.
- Scott Hartnell spent 16 minutes in the penalty box after scuffle at the end of the second period.
The Jackets have Sunday off as they prepare for Metro foe Philadelphia on Monday in the City of Brotherly Love. Sergei Bobrovsky will look to shut down the Flyers as the Jackets look to recover from this unacceptable loss.