The Columbus Blue Jackets let a great opportunity slip through their fingers in game one. They drop the opener in Pittsburgh 3-1.
In the opening game of their second season, the Columbus Blue Jackets blew a great opportunity to steal a game in Pittsburgh. The Pens starting goalie Matt Murray, was injured in pregame warm ups forcing Coach Sullivan to put Marc-Andre Fleury in net.
With what can be described as a less than stellar playoff record recently, Fleury represented a big opportunity for the Jackets to steal a game in Pittsburgh. The Jackets came out firing and put 16 shots on Fleury in the first period. None would find the net though and the period ended as it started, tied at zero.
The Jackets dominated the puck and smothered the Pens. The Pens only registered three firs period shots and were unable to get a shot on goal in the final 15 minutes of the period. Such a dominate stretch of possession in the playoffs has to result in a goal, but the CBJ were unable to break through.
In Fleury’s defense, he did make some spectacular saves. The Jackets were able to get some great shots on him but he came up big for the Pens. You could see the team rally around the goalie in the first and fight like crazy to protect the crease. Although the Pittsburgh fans ride him for his play, Fleury is clearly beloved by his teammates.
1st Period Momentum RIP
The Jackets had all the momentum they could as for in the 1st period. The arena was silenced by the play of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Everything was going their way except for actually putting a goal up on the scoreboard.
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In part because of Fleury’s great play, but also in part to some offensive struggles that we saw at the end of the regular season. Most shots came without a body in the crease. Some part due to the fact that the Penguins were clamping down and defending the blue paint. But largely because the Jackets didn’t crash well enough.
In the final minutes of the period the Jackets power play was unable to convert. The Olli Maata minor penalty kill led to the end of the period where the Penguins regrouped and never looked back. The Jackets were unable to sustain long stretches of puck possession like they had in the first period and all momentum was lost.
Rust, Kessel, and Bonino all added second period goals putting the game out of reach. Matt Calvert did score a goal late in the third period to make the score respectable.
The Jackets did lay some big hits on the Pens and certainly won the physicality battle. They landed 49 hits to the Penguins 35. Hopefully that will pay dividends in games five, six, and seven, if needed. The CBJ will regroup and look to tie the series up at one game apiece on Friday.