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Post Battle #40 vs Washington Capitals |
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Final Score: Capitals 4 – Blue Jackets 5
Game Summary
Happy New Year everyone! The Jackets kicked off the New Year the way they ended the last year; with a bang. The Jackets having beaten the top team in the West their last game went out and beat the best team in the East; the Washington Capitals 5-4 in a shootout.
The Jackets offense consisted of two players tonight. Jack Johnson and Brandon Saad each had two goals. Johnson’s were both of the power play variety. The first one was right place right time as he pinched in from the point and got the puck right outside the crease. The second one was an absolute blast from the point. This was easily his best game of the season.
For Saad this is why he was brought in, to score goals. Both of them tonight were sick. Rather than waste time describing them I’ll just make it easy and show them to you.
How about that Wennberg pass?
The classic backhander.
This was a real back and forth game with the Jackets doing everything to try and lose it. The penalties were a killer again. They let Washington have six power plays, including one in overtime. Washington got a ton of shots and chances, and managed to score twice. It was really what kept them in the game. They have the best power play in the league and it’s been that way for years. The Jackets gave them way to many opportunities. Thankfully tonight it didn’t cost them.
Some injury news: Matt Calvert was hurt on the hit he took last game. He is going to miss the next four weeks with a knee injury. His loss was/will be felt the most on the penalty kill where he’d been one of the most effective Jackets. He seemed to get at least one shorthanded chance a game. Among the regularly used forwards on the PK, Calvert has the highest Corsi for of the group at 12.35%.
There was some confusion this morning with the goalies. Sergei Bobrovsky was supposed to be activated off the IR but suffered a setback yesterday in practice. With the team having already sent down Joonas Korpisalo they were forced to call-up Anton Forsberg on an emergency recall. And oh boy were they every lucky they didn’t risk it with and have Bobrovsky back-up.
Just a minute into the overtime period Curtis McEhlinney who was solid up to that point, fell awkwardly in the crease and hurt his leg. He was forced to leave the game and Forsberg had to come into the game in OT cold. Oh and he was also facing a power play. Forsberg was great making some huge saves in both OT and the shootout to pick up his first NHL win. I highly doubt that’s how he pictured his first win going, but it’s definitely one he will never forget.
Stat of the Night
View post on imgur.com
Kudos to the
Hockey Reference player game finder for this stat.
Stats courtesy of
HockeyStats.ca and
War On Ice.
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Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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