Blue Jackets physically gut it out, win big over the Bruins in Boston

It wasn't pretty, but the Blue Jackets found a way to gut it out in a physical matchup with the Boston Bruins last night. They skated away with a 5-1 win - their first regulation victory in Boston in 8 years - and now head home for four straight at Nationwide.

This one was different from the opening faceoff. Unlike a lot of recent games, the Jackets didn't come out and dominate the Bruins early on. In fact, the game was pretty even, with teams trading chances early. The good guys struck first just 5:17 into the period however, on a Dmitri Voronkov breakaway goal, of all things. I'll make one bold prediction here: we won't see to many of those in the big man's career.

Just 5:22 later, Mathieu Olivier channeled his inner Bobby Orr while shorthanded, coming across the net to score in Boston in much the same fashion as one of the most famous NHL goals of all-time to make it 2-0. Then, with 32 seconds left in the period, James van Riemsdyk deflected a Zach Werenski shot into the net, making it was 3-0 Jackets. I also have to point out the ridiculous Adam Fantilli pass on this play (see it below). The Bruins were met with a heavy volley of boos as they left the ice.

Second period was a mess, but they didn't break...

No sugar coating here: the Blue Jackets were awful in the second period. They couldn't get out of their own end, and surrendered four power-plays to their opponent. The Bruins seemed to have the puck for the entire period, taking chance after chance towards Elvis Merzlikins. But, in spite of the constant pressure, the Jackets only conceded one goal, on their third PK of the period.

Fortunately, they were able to bounce back in the third and avoid another of those embarrassing comebacks that we've become accustomed to. It wasn't perfect here either, but with Mathieu Olivier in the box for what would become the only penalty of the third; Cole Sillinger made a fantastic play, winning the puck and finding Justin Danforth for the goal that would silence the home crowd for good. Yegor Chinakhov added a late goal to make it 5-1 as the arena quickly emptied out.

Is this team starting to mature?

These are the kinds of games that make me wonder if this team really is starting to turn a corner. They didn't deserve to win last night, with Boston controlling the pace for much of the game. The Bruins also brought heavy physicality - particularly in that second period - but the Jackets did not wilt. They held their ground and found a way to get it done.

They would not have been able to do so without a tremendous effort from Elvis Merzlikins in goal. He made 28 saves on the night, with plenty of them being the high danger variety. Suddenly, his numbers are looking pretty solid on the season; and four of his last five starts have been really good. He's giving this team a chance to win, and that's all we can ask from him.

The Jackets will get two well-earned days off, before returning to action on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Nationwide Arena.