The Columbus Blue Jackets win back-to-back home games off the Four Nations Tournament break, upsetting the Dallas Stars by the final score of 6-4.
Period I
Kirill Marchenko kicked off “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)” by AC/DC on the first shift of the game. Just 30 seconds, the Russian winger recorded his breakout 22nd goal of the season from Russia teammates Ivan Provorov and Dmitry Voronkov.
Marchenko on the Jackets’ success:
“We're playing our style every game, and find good opportunities today to score. Just a fun and nice game today. Everybody enjoys this moment, and when you win, you have a lot of fun.”
Mathieu Olivier doubled the home team lead 4 minutes and 7 seconds later for his career high 11th goal of the campaign from defender Damon Severson and winger Zach Aston-Reese.
Jamie Benn, the Dallas captain, broke the shutout and cut the Columbus lead in half for the veteran winger’s 15th of the regular season. Sophomore Wyatt Johnston had the primary assist. My Dallas player to watch, Thomas Harley, had the secondary assist.
Period II
Marchenko got the Jackets back in the goal column a minute and 11 seconds into the middle frame for his second of the game and 23rd of the year. Adam Fantilli, the former Michigan Wolverine, had the lone helper.
Ivan Provorov added to the home lead with his seventh of the year from Michigan alumni Kent Johnson and captain Boone Jenner.
Roope Hintz got the Dallas back into the game with his 23rd of the campaign from fellow Finnish countryman Mikael Granlund and Filipino Jason Robertson.
Jason Robertson had his 24th of the season to get the road club within one from Granlund.
Period III
James van Riemsdyk got the eventual game winner off a tip in front for the Jersey native’s 12th of the campaign from Dublin raised Sean Kuraly.
Mavrik Bourque had the last goal on a goaltender for his ninth of the season from Evgenii Dadonov and Logan Stankoven.
Adam Fantilli potted the empty net goal with 32 seconds remaining in regulation for the Michigan alumnus’ 17th this regular season from Voronkov and Marchenko.
Goaltenders
Dallas — Jake Otteinger allowed 5 goals on 28 shots against for a 0.821 save percentage.
Columbus — Elvis Merzlikins allowed 4 goals on 23 shots for an 0.826 save percentage.
Players to Watch
Dallas — Thomas Harley had the secondary assist on Benn’s opening goal. His 21st apple this season was his only point of the evening, but he led all skaters in ice time with 28:24
Columbus — Zach Werenski — point streak was snapped at 23 home games. He was a -1 in 28:18 time on ice with 4 shots and blocked shots against. Werenski was only one of four skaters on the Jackets with a minus. Werenski was also only one of three skaters to have a takeaway for the home squad. Zach Werenski’s streak of 22 straight home games with a point ended for the Blue Jackets. He tied Phil Housley (1991-92) for the third-longest streak by a defenseman in NHL history. Werenski had 41 points (14 goals, 27 assists) during his home point streak.
CBJ Three Stars of the Game
1. Kirill Marchenko — 2 goals, assist
2. Ivan Provorov — goal, assist
3. James van Riemsdyk — GWG (12)
Next Game
Home and home series with the Detroit Red Wings on the road to the Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series. Three days until the outdoor game at Buckeye Stadium.
Former Columbus forward Duchene on his old club:
“It feels like you're swimming upstream all night. It doesn't matter what you do but you’ve got to find a way to make something happen in games like that. Give them credit. They played a good hockey game. It wasn't our best tonight. We’ve got a couple days here to take a breath. I mean three in four probably had something to do with it.”
Rumors
After Ek promoted my post to the top slot over the weekend, this will be posted daily with my Twitter promotion of who may join and depart Columbus. Rumor Mill
F Brock Boeser (VAN)
CBJ, MIN
F Elias Pettersson (VAN)
BUF, CAR, DET, MIN, DAL, OTT, CBJ, BOS
F Brock Nelson (NYI)
MIN, DAL, BOS, TOR, COL, WPG, CBJ, WSH,
F Brandon Tanev (SEA)
TOR, WSH, NYR, VGK, OTT, CBJ,
F Gustav Nyquist (NSH) per Michael DeRosa
CBJ, NYR, OTT, CAR, FLA, COL
F Dylan Cozens (BUF)
Per Josh Erickson of ProHockeyRumors and Spencer Lazary of THN — CBJ
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