Despite the comeback effort, the Columbus Blue Jackets fall short to the Vegas Golden Knights after a seven-round shootout. The final score of the game was 3-2.

Vegas opened the scoring with two goals in less than one minute to be their only ones against Columbus in regulation. Both came in the first in exactly 56 seconds.

Former Columbus Blue Jackets’ center William Karlsson opened the scoring of the game and for Vegas with his 6th of the regular season. Former Blue Jackets’ draft selection Jonathan Marchessault got the primary assist. Defender Brayden McNabb got the secondary helper.

Forward William Carrier tallied his 8th of the season, already being one away from tying his career high for a single season. Zach Whitecloud got the lone assist on the last regulation Vegas goal.

Here comes the Columbus comeback.

In the second period, Johnny Gaudreau got his 8th goal of the season while fighting illness. His slapper was assisted by the two own rentals: Gustav Nyquist and Vladislav Gavrikov.

Late in the third period, captain Boone Jenner regained the lead for goals in a Columbus uniform for the season with number 9 tying the game. Nyquist and Gaudreau had the apples.

In the shootout:

Gustav Nyquist scored on the first shot against Vegas.

Jonathan Marchessault evened the shootout.

Paul Cotter got the eventual winner.

Jack Eichel was my Vegas player to watch given his fantastic start to the season and lack of penalties. Since the holiday break, he has been quiet on the scoreboard, and that continued against Columbus. Eichel had a -1 rating with 6 shots on net; and also registered a 45.5% in the faceoff dot for a total of 19:25TOI.

I’m just hoping he’s ok after he took a puck to the had on a shot in the second.

Logan Thompson had 26 saves on 28 shots faced for a 0.929 save percentage.

Jack Roslovic was my Columbus player to watch, in a battle of Jacks and in hopes he continues his turnaround on the struggling season. He was a -1 with a shot, hit, and takeaway. The Columbus native also had 2 block shots and a struggling 36.4% in the faceoff dot at 12:48TOI.

Daniil Tarasov was the Columbus starter, having 34 saves on 36 shots for a 0.944 save percentage, and 2 goals on 7 shots in the shootout.

Tarasov is continuing to grow at the pro level in front of my eyes, and is beginning to show the potential I have seen in him and mostly heard about him for years as a young Bobrovsky. If he gets there and wins a Veznia, this team could become a sight to see in the postseason.

CBJ THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1. Daniil Tarasov — SOL, 94.4 SV%

2. Johnny Gaudreau — goal (8), assist (14)

3. Gustav Nyquist — 2 assists (7), shootout goal

More to come…

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