The Columbus Blue Jackets, after just getting shutout on Long Island Monday night, found their offense and powered themselves to a nail bitting, but powerful win over the Boston Bruins 7-4.
The Columbus Blue Jackets looked like they had run out of gas. Even with superhuman goaltending for Sergei Bobrovsky against the New York Islanders, the Jackets still were finding ways to lose games. But last night was a completely different story. Boston came into this game as one of the top teams in the National Hockey League, and in the first minutes they showed it.
Patrice Bergeron has scored just 4 minutes into the game and it looked like the Jackets were headed back down a road of hurt again. But Josh Anderson, the absolute workhorse, POWERED the Jackets with a goal of his own to tie the game, and 3 other assists in the game that followed.
Ryan Dzingel scored his first goal with the Jackets, banking it off of Tuukka Rask’s back and into the net. Boone Jenner put in his FIRST of the game with just 6 seconds left in the 1st period, SHORT HANDED. The Jackets held a 3-1 lead at the end of the first.
Matt Duchene scored as well being rewarded for his hard work to make it 4-1. That Anderson-Duchene-Dzingel line has played out of its mind the last two games, and I hope it stays together for the long haul. Jenner quickly added his 2nd goal of the evening and the Jackets held strong to a 5-1 lead.
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Here’s where things didn’t look so great.
Brad Marchand scored, and the Bruins suddenly had life. Artemi Panarin uncharacteristically got into a fight with Boston’s young defenseman Charlie McAvoy, and suddenly the Bruins were firing on all cylinders. From 5-1 down to quickly being 5-4 at the end of the second period.
But the Jackets would prevail, Zach Werenski got the monkey off his back and gave the Jackets a 6-4 cushion, where Boone Jenner would add the empty netter for his first career hat trick. Well deserved for Boone, he’s been the heart of this team this season, and he’s been missed when out of the lineup this year.
A 7-4 win, is just that, a win. 2 full points in the standings, and taking them away from an Eastern Conference opponent. The Jackets are tied for the last wildcard spot, and every point from this point on matters.
Carolina comes into town on Friday night, and they’re one of the hottest teams in the league. They sit 2 points ahead of the Jackets currently, and a win here might be the most important of the regular season. The Jackets travel to Boston on Saturday and hope to have a repeat of last nights effort.