The Columbus Blue Jackets have overcome the odds with their first win of the 2022-2023 NHL regular season, with a 4-3 overtime outcome against the mightily struggling Vancouver Canucks in their home building.
Granted, the Vancouver Canucks were on the back-half of a two game Eastern Conference swing with travel between state lines, but they had the lead and returning players to the lineup for their season debuts.
In the first period, Bo Horvat, the Canucks captain, opened the scoring in the game and for his team with a short handed slap shot for his second of the season. His goal was assisted by Swedes Elias Pettersson and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Minutes after the first goal, Pettersson added into the goal department with his third of the year; wingers Vasily Podkolzin and Nils Hoglander had the helpers.
Justin Danforth closed the shutout hopes of the Canucks with his first of the year; Vladislav Gavrikov and Yegor Chinakov had the assists on the deflection.
Zach Werenski evened the scoring with an early third period goal for his first in the campaign; Columbus captain Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau had the helpers.
Horvat reacquired the lead for his team less than a minute after the Columbus tie for his second of the game and third of the season. The Canucks’ final goal has been assisted by defensemen Tucker Poolman and Quinn Hughes.
Johnny Gaudreau had a beautiful smooth wraparound for his second of his Columbus career; Jenner and Jakub Voracek had the helpers.
Vladislav Gavrikov had the overtime winning goal for his first of the season. Chinakov and Voracek had the apples.
Spencer Martin was the starting goaltender for the Canucks over Thatcher Demko as he played in Washington last night. The Canucks also inserted Ilya Mikheyev and Tyler Myers in their season debuts, benching Connor Garland in a bold move and defender Kyle Burroughs (who got Kuznetsov’s stick in his face Monday night). Martin allowed all 4 goals on 33 shots faced, for a 0.879 save percentage.
Elias Pettersson was my player to watch for Vancouver, who had a goal and an assist against Columbus. Pettersson was also a +1 with 21:25TOI with a HORRENDOUS 18.8% faceoff percentage.
Erik Gubdranson was my player to watch for Columbus, who was invincible against his former team, with just one shot and hit in 18:32TOI
Elvis Merzlikins had 32 saves on 35 shots for a 0.914 save percentage.
CBJ THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Vladislav Gavrikov — OT GWG (1), assist (1), +2 25:06TOI
2. Johnny Gaudreau — Goal (2), assist (2), +2 21:00TOI
3. Zach Werenski — goal (1), EVEN, 5 shots, 5 hits, 27:04TOI
More to come…
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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