The Columbus Blue Jackets drop their second match against the Anaheim Ducks in the same fashion they dropped the first, in the extra frame, this time by a score of 2-1.
The Columbus Blue Jackets came into this game with being an offensive heavy team and not much for defensive battles. The Jackets average giving up 3+ goals per game and typically struggle to keep teams from bursting out offensively.
Tonight that changed as the Jackets were able to keep the Ducks at bay for a large majority of the game. Outshooting the Ducks by almost double, the Jackets were only to break through John Gibson once, right off the faceoff win of Boone Jenner, where Markus Nutivaara rocketed a shot for a 1-0 Jackets lead.
The Ducks were getting blanked until a shot by Daniel Sprong, from no angle, slipped past Sergei Bobrovsky to tie the game, which is where we stood for the 60 minutes of regulation play.
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In overtime, the Jackets barely touched the puck, and the Ducks’ Daniel Sprong took advantage a shot a floater through a screen to give the Ducks the season sweep of the Jackets.
In overtime, Nick Foligno started at center, which defensively is an ok move, but in a game where you need the extra point to keep afloat in the division, is a very questionable move. This also coming after Boone Jenner just missed a wide open net at the end of regulation.
The Jackets had shot momentum through the game even after having terrible turnovers and giveaways. Sloppy passes and missing the net wide really need to cleaned up by the team going forward.
The Jackets are now skidding through the mid season where they cannot afford to be slipping up. With the point tonight, the Jackets remain one point ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins for 2nd in the Metro. The Capitals took Buffalo to a shootout where they won and remain 6 points ahead for the top divisional spot.
John Tortorella after the game was interviewed by 97.1 The Fan and he spoke about having to play the Ducks who are a defensively strong team and praised John Gibson’s performance. Which Coach Torts should, as Gibson stole this game for the Ducks.