The Columbus Blue Jackets were able to obtain two of a possible four points over this weekend’s affair of back to back games with valuable playoff points on the line.
CBJ PG70 v Vancouver Canucks — Crazy Train
The Columbus Blue Jackets barely survived through two multi-goal deficits and overtime to win over the Vancouver Canucks by the final score of 7-6 in the shootout.
Period I
Vancouver had a hit start with three goals in 4 minutes and 25 seconds, including two of which that came on powerplay opportunities.
After a Sean Monahan puck of the glass minor, Columbus native Kiefer Sherwood fired the puck on net, which was tipped off the stick of Linus Karlsson for his second career goal. Former Columbus trade bait Connor Garland had a secondary assist.
Being in the rumor mill at the most recent 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, Minnesota native Brock Boeser extended the visitor’s lead with his 24th of the year from player to watch Quinn Hughes and also nearly moved Pius Suter.
As a result of a Damon Severson trip on Teddy Bleuger, Jake DeBrusk snapped home the second powerplay goal of the night for the ex-Bruins’ 24th with his new club; Boeser and Suter earned themselves multi-point nights before the end of 20.
Penalty minutes were 6-4 for the Jackets; shots were 12-10 for Columbus.
Period II
Columbus came roaring back with three goals in 8:10 to lose the lead less than three minutes later.
Only 34 seconds were erased when the Columbus Blue Jackets got the crowd pumped in the new frame with captain Boone Jenner getting his third goal of the regular season courtesy of rookie Denton Mateychuk and former Canuck Erik Gudbranson.
Kirill Marchenko brought the lead to within one with his 27th goal of the regular season from Sean Monahan and Dante Fabbro.
Dante Fabbro evened the game for his sixth with the Jackets’ sweater from the returning Cole Sillinger and Mathieu Olivier.
Tyler Myers got the lead back for the road team shorthanded for his sixth goal of the regular season from Sherwood and Suter.
Vancouver doubled their penalty minutes; and brought the shot count to an even 22 a piece.
Period III
Aatu Raty for his fourth goal with the Canucks and sixth career goal for a two goal lead from Joshua and Hughes.
Denton Mateychuk slapped home his fourth career goal from captain Jenner and Adam Fantilli.
Jenner’s powerplay goal off the Karlsson trip tied the game at 5 with his fourth of the courtesy of Marchenko and Zach Werenski. This was Z’s 50th assist; and he became the eighth skater to ever record a 70 point season in a Columbus uniform.
Olivier got the Chicklets bump and the go ahead goal 22 seconds later for his career high 17th goal of the campaign from Fabbro and Justin Danforth.
Raty tied the game up 23 seconds later for his second of the night and fifth goal of the year from Joshua and Sherwood.
Vancouver led in penalties 10-6; Columbus led in shots 37-33 through 60. Tonight was not a night for goalies.
Overtime
Five shots in five minutes; the Canucks took 4; the Blue Jackets only had one. Total shot count was 38-37 for the Jackets.
Shootout
Kent Johnson with a beautiful deke got the first goal of the shootout in the first round.
Jake DeBrusk missed.
Adam Fantilli shot high and wide.
Connor Gardland missed.
Kirill Marchenko was denied.
Jonathan Lekkermaki missed and the game ends.
Goaltenders
Kevin Lankinen
Elvis Merzlikins
Players to Watch
Quinn Hughes had 2 assists to hit the 70 point plateau through 28:24TOI. The top d-man had 5 shots on goal and 2 blocked shots despite being a -1.
Zach Werenski also hit the 70-point plateau with the secondary assist on the Jenner powerplay goal in the third period. He was a -1 in 29:49TOI with 6 shots on net and a takeaway. Werenski became the 8th skater to record a 70 point season in Columbus.
CBJ Three Stars of the Game
1. Boone Jenner — 2 goals (4), assist (10)
2. Dante Fabbro — goal (6), 2 assists (14)
3. Kent Johnson — SOW
CBJ PG71 v Ottawa Senators — Unreal Ullmark
Linus Ullmark makes 29 saves to hold off the Columbus Blue Jackets by the final score of 3-2 in regulation time.
Period I
Ridly Greig redirected the biscuit off the Thomas Chabot shot for the inaugural goal of the season series. The first rounder’s 12th goal and 27th of his career also had a secondary assist from noted gambler Shane Pinto.
Boone Jenner fired the cannon to light the lamp and tie the game at one a piece. The captain’s fifth goal continued a four game scoring streak for the Columbus forward. He is 3 goals away from career number 200. Zach Werenski and Denton Mateychuk had the assists.
Drake Batherson got the go-ahead goal for the forward’s 21st of the regular season. Deadline add Dylan Cozens had the primary assist; defender Artem Zub had the secondary.
Brady Tkachuk had the only minor penalty through 20; a roughing minor on Kirill Marchenko. Shots were 12-8 Columbus.
Period II
Jake Sanderson extended the scoring for the home team with his eighth of the regular season with the apples going to Pinto and Greig; this concluded the Senators’ scoring.
Period III
Kirill Marchenko got on the board midway through the third period with his 28th goal of the regular season and Werenski had the lone apple on the play.
Goaltenders
Linus Ullmark disallowed 29 shots from crossing the red line of a possible 31 for a 0.935 save percentage.
Daniil Tarasov allowed 3 goals on 27 shots for a 0.889 save percentage.
Players to Watch
Thomas Chabot had an assist in 22:47TOI with a +1 rating. Chabot blocked six Columbus shots; had one shot on goal; had two takeaways; and a giveaway.
Zach Werenski had 2 assists with a +1 rating in 29:16TOI. He had a block and giveaway. No other skater was over 25 minutes for the Jackets. Just another level.
CBJ Three Stars of the Game
1. Kirill Marchenko — goal (28)
2. Boone Jenner— goal (5)
3. Zach Werenski — 2 assists (52)
Next Game
The second and final matchup on April Fools Day 2025 against the Nashville Predators.
Columbus is promoting Grateful Dead Ticket Packages and include your game ticket and exclusive jersey. Please note: The Grateful Dead jersey is ONLY available with purchase of this special ticket package.
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