The Columbus Blue Jackets survive an offensive game in South Florida to improve their record to 3-1.
Atkinson’s backhander in the final minutes push the Columbus Blue Jackets to victory in an all offensive match-up. Korpisalo looks solid in his second outing despite the high scoring affair.
Jackets second period woes continue into their 4th contest of the season, but their strong third period push also makes their presence known.
Score:
Stats:
Jackets Goals: Zach Werenski, Artemi Panarin, Boone Jenner, Anthony Duclair, Cam Atkinson.
Jackets Assists: Artemi Panarin (2), Scott Harrington (2), Cam Atkinson, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Riley Nash, Markus Nutivaara.
Panthers Goals: Evgenii Dadonov, Aleksander Barkov, Nick Bjugstad, Troy Brouwer.
Panthers Assists: Evgenii Dadonov (2), Aleksander Barkov, Mark Pysyk, Keith Yandle.
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Overall Thoughts:
I feel like I’ve seen this same game twice before I watched it again for a third time tonight. Very similarly to the game in Detroit and at home against the Avalanche. The Jackets quickly storm out to a 2-0 almost every game. They slowly cough up the lead and the opposing team ties it. The Jackets then have to respond and continue to outscore their opponent while their defense just collapses on themselves. The Jackets offense was there to respond to every move Florida made tonight and that’s why the Jackets come away with the victory.
The Jackets might be one of the worst second period teams in the league right now. They crawl into a shell the second they have a lead and when the clock starts running between game minutes 20 and 40. The third period on the other hand is a huge strong suit for the Jackets offense.
Impressive Players:
Artemi Panarin: His skill has been unmatched.
Anthony Duclair: Scores his first as a Jacket.
Joonas Korpisalo: Don’t let the goals against fool you, Korpi looked great.
Scott Harrington: Point machine tonight.
Disappointing Players:
Everyone: Defensively inept tonight.
Boone Jenner: Don’t let the goal fool you, Jenner looked lost aside from it.
What to Look for Moving On:
The Jackets never say die at the end of the game. They could be down but they always have found a way to rally this season and find themselves in games late when they should’ve been out of it already and have snuck out wins.
They’re playing a tough Tampa Bay team on Saturday night, but the Jackets need a real test and here they finally get one.