The Columbus Blue Jackets scored four second period goal to sustain a 5-2 victory and jump into the first wild card spot against the Detroit Red Wings.
Period I
Dublin native Sean Kuraly had a tripping minor and Michigan native Alex DeBrincat had a hooking minor.
Period II
The Detroit Red Wings lit the lamp in the Little Caesars Arena first with a DeBrincat snap shot 30 seconds into the fresh frame for his 27th of the season. Michigan alumni JT Compher had the lone apple.
Columbus evened the game with a classic James van Riemsdyk tip in front for his 13th of the campaign from defender Jake Christiansen and captain Boone Jenner.
Sean Kuraly batted in the go ahead goal for his fifth of the year from linemates Mathieu Olivier, my Columbus player to watch, and Joseph LaBate, earning his first career NHL point. Congratulations to the Minnesota native and former Canucks draft pick.
Michigan alumni Kent Johnson recorded his first 20 goal season off a Dante Fabbro shot; Captain Jenner had the secondary assist.
JvR potted his secondary helper for his 14th of the season from Jenner and KJ.
JT Compher had his seventh of the year from Jonathan Berggren and Erik Gustafssson.
Period III
Kirill Marchenko recorded the empty net goal with 57 seconds left in regulation for his 24th of th season from Michigan alumni Adam Fantilli.
Goaltenders
Daniil Tarasov had 29 saves on 31 shots for a 0.935 save percentage
Cam Talbot had 25 saves on 29 shots for a 0.862 save percentage.
Players to Watch
Detroit — Vladimir Tarasenko was a -1 in 13:49TOI and had 2 shots on goal.
Columbus — Mathieu Oliver had an apple and a +1 for his first 20 point season.
CBJ Three Stars of the Game
1. James van Riemsdyk — 2 goals (14)
2. Boone Jenner — 3 assists (5)
3. Joseph LaBate — first career point
Next Game
Stadium Series tomorrow; PreGame events commence at noon! Pep Rally at 2:30 featuring OAR. Gametime from Ohio Stafium is at 6pm featuring Twenty One Pilots.
Rumor Update
Expect Olivier to come off the board; extension coming!
Erik Karlsson and Seth Jones are part of the short list in Columbus for the “contending” team as they have the cap space.
After Ek promoted my post to the top slot over the weekend, this will be posted daily with my Twitter promotion of who may join and depart Columbus
Per Josh Erickson of ProHockeyRumors and Spencer Lazary of THN — CBJ
CGY, PHI, VAN
F Rickard Rakkell (PIT)
CBJ
G James Reimer (BUF)
CBJ
G Vitek Vanecek (SJS)
CBJ
D Noah Dobson (NYI)
Per Spencer Lazar THN (CBJ)
DET, MTL, VAN,
F Casey Mittlestadt (COL)
Per Jason Newland THN - CBJ
BOS, CGY, WPG
F Oliver Bjorkstrand (SEA)
Per Spencer Lazar THN (CBJ)
UTH, VAN
D Jamie Oleskiak (SEA)
Per NHL Trade Talk Trade Board
CBJ, DAL, TOR
F Nick Robertson (TOR)
CBJ, SEA, UTH
D Seth Jones (CHI)
OTT, DAL, COL, CBJ
Seth Jones has already said he's open to waiving his no-movement clause to be traded to a contender, according to a report in The Athletic on Friday. The Blackhawks defenseman has four years remaining on a contract that carries a $9.5 million AAV.
His comments out of frustration following a 2-1 loss at Utah on Tuesday showcase why Jones wants out. The Blackhawks (17-34-7) were outshot 36-22 and were on the wrong side of the total shot attempts, 93-39.
Chicago, which has lost four in a row (0-3-1) and seven of eight (1-5-2), is 31st in the NHL standings and has not qualified for the playoffs the past four seasons.
"I think we're the exact same team right now as we were Game 1," Jones said. "I think it's pretty evident out there. We haven't made any strides to be a better, more simple hockey team, and it shows. We don't get a lot of wins because of that.
"This has been almost four years of bottom of the League, it's not just this year, for me at least.”
Jones, 30, has 27 points (seven goals, 20 assists) in 47 games while averaging 24:31 of ice time, which ranks 13th in the NHL.
Leaving Columbus?
2025 1 st Rd (BOTH)
Only for player with term
D Ivan Provorov
Currently in the final season of his six-year contract with a 6.75 million AAV, Provorov would be a good option for a team looking add offense on its back end. The 28-year-old has had at least 25 points in each of his nine NHL seasons. Columbus is in the thick of the playoff chase so it would take a good offer to pry Provorov away. Yet, considering he can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, the Blue Jackets may listen to offers.
FLA, TBL, WSH, OTT, EDM, PIT, SEA, VAN, DAL
F Mathieu Olivier - expected to extend with Columbus
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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