This week, Columbus has three games, and all against the top teams in the east between Toronto; New Jersey; and the Rangers. The Rangers game on Saturday is the only one at home.
All three are beasts, being in the top six of league standings. They are must win games for the top teams for home ice, where for Columbus, it would worsen their chances at Bedard or Fantilli if they win.
Columbus has also made some roster moves, assigning forward Justin Richards and goaltender Jon Gillies to Cleveland; and recalling goaltender Jet Graves from Cleveland. I’m assuming on of Jack Roslovic or Lane Pederson is returning tomorrow.
CBJ P75 - Touchdown
The Columbus Blue Jackets suffered a football loss to the Florida Panthers in their first home game of the month. The final score is 7-0.
Sam Reinhart opened the scoring for the Panthers with his 29th of the season from Matthew Tkachuk.
Carter Verhaeghe had a natural hattrick to get himself to 39 on the season.
His first was assisted by Gustav Forsling and Alex Barkov. The second had the helpers by Aaron Ekblad and former Blue Jacket, Anthony Duclair. The third has assists from Brandon Montour and Duclair (again).
Nick Cousins got an unassisted goal for his eighth of the campaign.
Verhaeghe got on the board again with his fourth of the night and 40th of the year from Duclair and Barkov.
Eric Staal got the final goal from Reinhart and Ryan Lomberg.
Sam Reinhart was my player to watch, as he may be the key to my fantasy team. Reinhart had a goal and an assist on the evening.
Alex Lyon stopped all 21 shots faced for his first career NHL shutout.
Andrew Peeke, the Florida native was my Columbus player to watch as he is also on my fantasy team. He was a -6, the worst in the team with 3 hits and blocked shots in 22:11TOI.
Michael Hutchinson stopped 42 of 49 shots for a 0.857 save percentage.
CBJ THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Jonna Luoto -- first game with CBJ
2. Justin Richards -- first game with CBJ
3. Billy Sweezey -- 5 hits, 3 blocks, 1 takeaway, 19:58TOI, EVEN
CBJ P76 — History
A historic night in Natiownide Arena is the story as the Columbus Blue Jackets defeat the Ottawa Senators by the final score of 4-3 in overtime.
The first period was highlighted by five goals being scored. Columbus sparked the early flurry, but Ottawa rallied late to hold on until they couldn’t.
Two minutes into the game, the Jackets got the first of the evening off the power play. Kent Johnson recorded his 16th of the season with the assists by Gavin Bayreuther and Johnny Gaudreau.
A minute and a half later, Senators’ forward Dylan Gambrell evened the game for his third of the season. Erik Branstrom had the lone assist.
Seconds after, Eric Robinson responded with an unassisted goal for number 11 of his year.
Mark Kastelic knotted the game to deuce with his sixth of the campaign from Tanner Kleven.
Alex DeBricant got the Sens’ final game of the first and game for his 26th career goal with Ottawa. Ridley Greig had the lone assist.
Boone Jenner tied the game at three in the third period for his 26th of the season. Kirill Marchenko had the primary assist. Billy Sweezey had his first career NHL point with the secondary assist.
Marchenko got the overtime winner for Columbus just 16 seconds in for his 21st of his rookie year. Gaudreau had the lone assist.
This goal makes Marchenko the highest goal scoring rookie in Columbus history with 21 in a single season.
Just to note, he did not make the team in opening, and there
Is still games left on the season for him to expand on this accomplishment. Congratulations Mister Marchenko!
Jon Gillies got his first win as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets, joining the team on March 2nd in the Jakub Voracek cap dump. Congratulations Gillies. He stopped 24 of 27 shots for a 0.889 save percentage.
Cam Talbot allowed four goals on 22 shots for a 0.818 save percentage.
Claude Giroux was my Senators’ player to watch, having a shot on goal and 2 hits with a -1 in 19:04TOI.
Kent Johnson was my Columbus player to watch, having a goal and 3 shots on goal while being a -1 in 16:40TOI.
CBJ THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Kirill Marchenko — OT GWG (21), assist (4)
2. Eric Robinson — goal (11)
3. Kent Johnson — PPG (16)
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