Last night, the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the New York Islanders by the final score of 3-2 in overtime. Columbus improves to 3-1-0 on the season, winning all the home games thus far under new bench boss Brad Larsen.
New York opened the scoring off a backhanded turnover by Adam Boqvist in the second period. Scott Mayfield scooped up the puck and fluffed it past Merzlikins for his first of the season.
Captain Boone tied the game at one a piece after a powerplay double defection shot that came from the blue line. Jenner's third of the year was his second of the PP. After clean passing between Patrik Laine and Jake Voracek at the point, Voracek walked in a few feet and chucked it at Sorokin, and Oliver Bjorkstrand and Jenner deflected it past the Isles goalie.
Rooke Cole Sillinger put the Union Blue ahead by one with his first career NHL goal, beating Ilya Sorokin over the blocker in the corner. Sillinger slid past the Islanders' defense, where Vladislav Gavrikov cut low and threw it to Silly out in front.
Matthew Barzal, the NYI Player to Watch, evened the scoring with his second of the year, burying the puck over Merzi's glove to send the game to overtime.
To trade wrist shots between snipers, and after great passing play by the CBJ Player to Watch in defender Zach Werenski, Jackets' winger Patrik Laine potted the game winning goal over Sorokin's blocker for his second goal of the campaign.
CBJ 3 Stars of the Game
1. C Cole Sillinger -- goal (1) -- first career NHL goal
2. RW Patrik Laine -- game-winning-goal (2)
3. G Elvis Merzlikins -- 36 saves on 38 shots; 0.944 SV%
Link to full notes by me: https://youtu.be/Uygiist8dnQ
Brain storming?
According to
Michael DeRosa of NHL Trade Rumors, he cites Columbus could be a potential landing spot for Senators defenseman Erik Branstrom. Branstrom was a first round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Vegas Golden Knights, joining Ottawa after the mega Mark Stone blockbuster.
Branstrom joining Columbus would create the biggest unknown defense in the entire National Hockey League, as he would add to the collection of the full youth movement on the roster. Branstrom is still developing to the North American ice, and is figuring out himself as a player under the guidance of the Bellville organization, which has brought up many successful prospects over the past quarter century.
If Branstrom were to join, I could see him solidify the number five position in the present, as they could look to move defenders Scott Harrington and Dean Kukan if the season worses in central Ohio.
Waiver Claim?
Additionally, the Senators have put in a claim on Seattle Kraken C Alex Barre-Boullet, who was picked up off waivers earlier this season from the Tampa Bay Lightining. As a young prospect and a center, this has to be an option for Columbus to snag as they need center depth now and in the future.
In two games with the Kraken, he had one assist; and with Tampa last year he had three goals in 15 games. With the Syracuse Crunch, he had 12 points in 10 games in 2021.
Thoughts on what is going on?
More to come...
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