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Columbus Blue Jackets Top Five Games of 2017-2018

By Lansing Murphy

SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 4: Timo Meier #28 of the San Jose Sharks tries to get the puck by Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Columbus Blue Jackets at SAP Center on March 4, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Scott Dinn/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 4: Timo Meier #28 of the San Jose Sharks tries to get the puck by Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Columbus Blue Jackets at SAP Center on March 4, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Scott Dinn/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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#2: Round One, Game One at Washington

Columbus Blue Jackets
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 12: Artemi Panarin #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrates with David Savard #58 after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against the Washington Capitals in Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 12, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Starting the series on the road, the Jackets, like all teams, were looking to steal one on the road against their higher seeded opponent. They did that in game one against the Washington Capitals.  The Columbus Blue Jackets capped a thrilling comeback with an overtime goal that no one will soon forget.

The game opened up with some great opportunities for the Capitals and some big hits. Bob made a few nice saves before he was eventually beat by a deflection right in front of the net by TJ Oshie.

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Then the Caps were gifted a five minute major penalty after a somewhat boarder line hit by Josh Anderson that was certainly a two minute penalty but definitely not five minutes. The officiating crew that night decided they would fulfill the stereotype around NHL refs though and they blew the call and on top of the major penalty, assessed a game misconduct.

Evgeny Kuznetsov then scored off of a beautiful wrister to extend the lead to two goals. The Jackets though then held strong and killed the remaining four minutes of the major penalty.

Five minutes into the second Boone Jenner sent a beautiful saucer pass through two Capitals players right on Alexander Wennberg‘s tape. Wenny took care of business and cut the lead in half.

The next goal would belong to the Jackets who would tie the game in the third on a power play goal from Thomas Vanek. But the Capitals were quick to respond and the momentum shifted back to the home team.

Down a goal with 15 minutes left on the road in game one is a massive obstacle to overcome. But the Jackets were able to do just that. Seth Jones‘ power play goal with 4:28 left, tied the game up at three and took all of the air out of the arena in D.C.

The deathblow came from Artemi Panarin six minutes into overtime. The winger raced down the left wing and somehow fired a wrist shot that beat backup Philipp Grubauer. The shot was from a wide angle and seemed to come out of nowhere which added to the Capitals fans bewilderment.

The win was the best the Jackets could ask for after falling behind 2-0 in the first and still having to kill off a four minute power play. The team stood strong and fought back to stun the Caps on home ice and open up the series with a win.

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