The Columbus Blue Jackets jumped on the opportunity in front of them and dominated the Toronto Maple Leafs by the final score of 6-2.
Period I
Leafs legend James van Riemsdyk opened the scoring for the Blue Jackets for his second in the Union Blue tarp off the backhand rebound from Ivan Provorov’s initial shot. Kevin Labanc generated the chance high with his backhand passing. This was van Riemsdyk’s 313th career goal.
Justin Danforth buried the Werenski turnover pass for his first of the regular season. Z jumped on the OEL turnover pass in the neutral zone to break into the offensive zone, and Danny had the clean break on backup Dennis Hildeby. The goal for the Oshawa native was his 23rd in his career.
Mathieu Olivier beamed a laser pass Hildeby high for his second of the year. Danfroth and Jake Christiansen helped break the puck out of the Columbus zone.
Period II
Sean Monahan potted in a rebound from another rush break in attempt by the Jackets’ offense. Werenski got the breakout pass from Severson. Z then passed it to Marchenko who shot the biscuit on net, and Monahan was right there to put the puck in on the open net. The former Ottawa 67s’ star recorded his third goal as part of the Blue Jackets, and his 247th career goal.
Olivier crashed the net for his second of the evening from the Zach Aston-Reese behind the net pass. Danforth generated the turnover from the offensive zone. The Mississippi native, Olivier, is now at 16 career goals.
Matthew Knies broke the shutout attempt with a last minute goal of the second for his third of the season unassisted.
Period III
Kirill Marchenko scorched the puck from a Sean Monahan cross ice pass over Dennis Hildeby glove for his third of the season and 47th of his young career. Cole Sillinger had the secondary assist.
Nic Robertson closed the scoring in the contest for his first of the campaign from former captain John Tavares and defender Simon Benoit.
Goalies
Dennis Hildeby allowed all 6 goals on 38 shots faced for a 0.842 save percentage.
Daniil Tarasov stopped 26 of 28 shots against for a 0.929 save percentage.
Players to Watch
Auston Matthews was a -3 in 19:51TOI. The face of the Leafs had only 2 shots on goal and was a miserable 41% in the faceoff department.
Yegor Chinakov had his point scoring streak broken against the Leafs last night. He did have 3 shots on goal and 2 hits in 16:27TOI in his first game of the season on the second line.
CBJ Three Stars of the Game
1. Matheiu Olivier — 2 goal (3)
2. Justin Danforth — goal (1), 2 assists (2)
3. Kirill Marchenko — goal (3), assist (5)
Next Game — Saturday night in Nashville against the shockingly struggling yet talented Predators. Game start is 8pm from Bridgestone Arena on FDSNOH and FDSNSO.
News/Rumors On the Defense
Erik Gudbranson underwent successful shoulder surgery and there was no released time table of return by President/GM Don Waddell.
Ivan Provorov is rumored to be a top blue end piece available for the upcoming trade deadline.
Per Eklund:
He may end up being the top D man at the deadline, but teams are already discussing him internally...The teams I hear...Seattle is VERY high on him...Pittsburgh and even Edmonton have their radar is up.
Under Kekalainen, Columbus gave up a first and second for Provorov at 30% retained salary. If Waddell retains half, they may get a first for the former ninth overall draft pick in 2015. I just don’t see the Kraken or Pens wiling to meet that price. Edmonton definitely would. They were just in the Western Conference. The Oilers need everything right now.
More is coming…
Obituaries
https://www.danjolell.com/obituary/john-michael-gaudreau/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYM9fikwQbNkPlcwmTBaP2udJZw1oMBCmyXjp-GyttBpDhIoWnqY8lxQSQ_aem_zW3gpaArqsSO7D5ZI-Pdog
https://www.danjolell.com/obituary/matthew-ryan-gaudreau/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZ33XNOJYMaSDfXxs3NcH7AY99EWfo9ObneKgMrpds4HwrC3U6Gkj0igr0_aem_qqWUcGWcBFf0sebC0an4RQ
Want to support the Gaudreau family? Here’s several ways how:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-madeline-and-baby-tripp-after-tragedy - Donate to Gaudreau Family Fund. At the time of writing it is at $691K
https://youtu.be/7ax8zyd8nk0?si=xoI63iohdyn2vVvD - View Johnny B Goode Tribute - personal touch. Loved this slowed down clip by the voice of Calgary. Skip to the 25 second mark.
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/giving - Nationwide Children's Hospital (Johnny's widow, Meredith's workplace) support the children today.
https://foundation.ohiohealth.com/ - Ohio Health Foundation (where donations from a joint mental health charity drive from Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine went) Johnny joined the mission after Laine attended the NHLPA assistance club last season
https://www.childrenshospital.ab.ca/ways-to-help/donate/ - Alberta Children's Hospital for those in need and touched by the loss
https://kidsportcanada.ca/donate/ - Donate to the Youth Sporting Charity in Canada (Johnny Gaudreau donated for money each goal he scored to the Calgary chapter)
https://sniderhockey.org/support-snider/ - the Philadelphia Youth Hockey Charity (where Johnny and Matthew are from and started their youth hockey)
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