Emotional home opener brings a valiant effort, but unfortunate loss for the Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets knew last night was going to be an emotional night at Nationwide Arena. The team paid amazing tribute to the loss of superstar forward Johnny Gaudreau. A full 30 minute documentary on his life before the game was followed up by an emotional banner raising in front of his wife Meredith, and kids Noa and John.

This was all capped off by the opening faceoff, which saw the Blue Jackets start without a left winger on the ice as the clock ticked away for 13 seconds. As his friends and former teammates took a minute to reflect on the ice, there was hardly a dry eye in the house.

The show then went on, and for 60 minutes the guys in union blue took it to the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, carrying the play for much of the night and out-shooting them 38-22. Unfortunately, they just couldn't find the late equalizer, and the Cats did what great teams do: they found a way to win.

Goaltending matchup won by the backup from Florida...

The Jackets struck first just 41 seconds into the second period, on a shorthanded goal by Cole Sillinger. Kent Johnson intercepted a pass just inside his own blue line and fed a ridiculous back-hand saucer pass ahead, which Cole promptly sniped over the shoulder of Panthers goaltender Spencer Knight.

The Panthers would tie it up with an even strength goal from Anton Lundell at the 10:25 mark of the period, on a goal that Elvis Merzlikins would probably like to have back. But the Jackets, resilient as ever, struck again to take the lead just 57 seconds later. On what seemed like a moment scripted in Hollywood, Sean Monahan tied the game and immediately paid tribute to his fallen friend, Johnny Gaudreau.

The Panthers quickly tied it up, with Dmitry Kulikov scoring 37 seconds later. This one was a floater, another goal that Merzlikins would probably like to have back. Then, they struck again in the final second on a quick bang-bang play that would give them a 3-2 lead heading into the second intermission. This in spite of a dominant second period by the Blue Jackets.

They made it a 4-2 game at the 15:12 mark of the third - you guessed it - on another goal Merzlikins probably should have stopped. Even though this is a partial breakaway, all of the options are taken away by a back-checking Zach Werenski. Except for the short-side shot that leaked right through Elvis.

Blue Jackets' late rally falls just short...

The Blue Jackets competed until the very end, which is something that hasn't necessarily been true for this team for the last several seasons. James van Riemsdyk made it a 4-3 game with 2:39 remaining, while playing with the net empty. The Jackets then had several chances to tie it up, with the best coming off of a Yegor Chinakhov wrist shot in tight. Spencer Knight stood tall for the Panthers however, who skated away with a 4-3 win.

It was a tough outcome for the Blue Jackets, who definitely played well enough to win this game. Goaltending was certainly the deciding factor, with Knight making 35 saves on 38 shots. Elvis Merzlikins made 18 saves on 22 shots in a losing effort for the good guys.

Despite a 1-2-0 record to start the year, the Jackets look like a different team so far. In fact, they sit fourth in the NHL in xGA - ahead of some pretty serious contending teams. Goaltending is going to be a topic of discussion for this team, until someone takes the reins and starts playing like a starter.