The Columbus Blue Jackets have split even their first games back from the Christmas holiday break against the Boston Bruins.
In the first game back against the Bruins at Nationwide Arena, three goals in two minutes and 47 seconds decided the 6-2 victory for the Blues Jackets. At the TD Garden, the Bruins were shutout 4-0.
CBJ PG36 — 2:47
The Columbus Blue Jackets made quick work of the Boston Bruins through the second period, resulting in a 6-2 win on home ice. This resulted in their possession of the season series victory for Columbus over Boston.
Period I
Sean Monahan opened the scoring for the game on the powerplay. The top line center’s goal would be his 12th goal with the Jackets this season. Zach Werenski and Kirill Marchenko tied for the team lead in assists with 25.
In the final five minutes of the opening period, the Czechia connection of Pavel Zacha and David Pasternak collaborated on the opening and tying goal for the visitors. Zacha’s ninth and 51st with the Bruins was Pasta’s 403rd career assist.
Period II
Columbus recorded four goals in the second to pull themselves far away from their foe.
Adam Fantilli got the go ahead goal for the hosts with his seventh of the season and 19th for his young career. Russians Dmitry Voronkov and Ivan Provorov had the helpers.
Monahan recorded his third multi-goal game as a member of the Blue Jackets. The former 67’s star had his second of the evening a minute and 13 seconds after Fantilli. Werenski registered his second assist of the night. Dante Fabbro had the secondary assist.
Dmitry Voronkov kept his production going a minute and 34 seconds after Monahan’s second goal with the club’s second powerplay goal of the contest. Voronkov extended the lead to three with his 11th goal of the campaign from Kent Johnson and Werenski.
Voronkov joined Monahan with a two goal performance against the Bruins for his 12th of the regular season. The second power play goal for Voronkov once again had apples from Marchy and Z. This goal came with 46 seconds remaining in the second.
Period III
Kirill Marchenko remains separated by his teammates in the goal scoring department by one with his 14th goal of the season. Mikkael Pyyhita and Jack Johnson each recorded their second assists this season. That concluded the Columbus scoring with five unanswered goals over a stretch of 16 minutes of game play.
Charlie Coyle concluded the game scoring a minute and four seconds after the final Columbus goal for his 10th this season. Elias Lindholm and Brad Marchand had the assists for Boston.
Goaltenders
The former Blue Jackets’ goaltender Joonas Korpisalo allowed all 6 goals on 33 shots faced by his former club for a disappointing 0.818 save percentage.
Elvis Merzlikins backstopped the home squad with 24 saves of 26 visitor shots for a 0.923 save percentage.
The Boston Bruins shut out the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-0.
Period I
Justin Brazeau opened the scoring 2 and a half minutes into the game for his eighth of the year from Brandon Carlo and Mason Lohrei.
Period II
Morgan Geekie’s unassisted tally was his eighth of the year.
David Pasternak extended the Boston lead with his 13th of the campaign from Geekie and Pavel Zacha.
Period III
Cole Koepke closed the Boston scoring with an unassisted marker for his sixth as a Bruin.
Goaltenders
Daniil Tarasov allowed four goals on 28 Bruins’ shots for a 0.857 save percentage.
Jermey Swayman disallowed any hope of a Columbus goal by saving all 18 shots. This is his second shutout of the year.
Tarasov Trouble?
According to Aaron Portzline of the Atheltic, Columbus goaltender Daniil Tarasov has refused a conditioning assignment to the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. Tarasov, 25, has not won a game for the Jackets since October 22. The Russian goaltender has played as many games in the last two months of the season as he has in the month of October (5).
Daniil Tarasov is in the final year of his contract at $1.05M. Could this be the final season of Tarry in Columbus?
Next Game
Final game of 2024 calendar year is at home against the Carolina Hurricanes; the former team of President of Hockey Operations/General Manager Don Waddell.
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