The Columbus Blue Jackets have once again stunned the Colorado Avalanche in their season sweep over the Western foes, by the final score of 4-2.
Goal scoring began with Gabriel Carlsson for his first of the season. His snapper came from around the faceoff dot closest to Darcy Kuemper’s blocker. The supporting points came from Jakub Voracek and Yegor Chinakov.
Moments later, returning winger Andre Burkavosky evened the scoring in his first game back. His second of his shortened year was helped by Nazem Kadri and Samuel Girard. His second of the game came in the second period for his third of the year, and was unassisted.
In the third, Columbus roared back with 3 unanswered goals to lead to victory. Midway through the third, Alexandre Texier netted his third of the campaign to even the game. Eric Robinson and Elvis Merzlikins had the assists. Cole Sillinger got the game winning goal off a deflection for his fourth of year. Chinakov and Gavrikov got the helpers. Oliver Bjorkstrand potted the empty netter with 30 seconds left; captain Boone Jenner and Vladislav Gavrikov got the supporting points on the play.
Elvis Merzlikins held the crease once again, in another brilliant effort, stopping 34 of 36 shots faced for a 0.944 save percentage (94.4%). Darcy Kuemper was also very impressive, stopping 38 of 41 for a 0.927 save percentage (92.7%).
My player to watch for Colorado was their captain, Gabriel Landeskog. The second overall selection from the 2011 draft is fresh off a new contract signed this summer, and in the contest, he was held pointless without just 2 shots and blocked shots. He was a -1 in 20:48 time on ice.
For Columbus, my player to watch was Gustav Nyqvist. Like Landeskog, the Swedish native was also held off the scoreboard for production. He was a +1 in 17:59.
CBJ THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Cole Sillinger— GWG (4)
2. Elvis Merzlikins — W, 94.4 SV%, 34 SVs
3. Alexandre Texier— goal (3)
Thoughts? More to come...
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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