Jackets Complete Comeback In Overtime Win Over Islanders
The Columbus Blue Jackets are playing for their chances at Connor Bedard lottery in the upcoming draft, but tonight they dealt a blow to the top wildcard team in the Eastern Conference by beating the visiting New York Islanders in overtime.
FIRST PERIOD
After some early pressure by the Islanders, Columbus took to a more aggressive and crisp style of play to flip the ice the other direction with multiple shots and split second saves by New York’s Ilya Sorokin.The visitors forced some stops by Jackets goalie Michael Hutchinson including a 1v1 at the 13:26 mark that was parried away on his stick side.
The visitors finally broke the deadlock on a shot by Zach Parise from near the right faceoff circle that snuck under Hutchinson’s left leg pad for the 1-0 lead. And with the one goal advantage, the momentum swung right back to New York leading to several spectacular saves from Hutchinson to keep the deficit from getting any larger.
SECOND PERIOD
Even though Columbus started the period on the power play as a penalty for interference was assessed to the Islanders’ Kyle Palmieri, they were unable to take advantage of the opportunity. The Jackets scored at the 3:42 mark, but the goal was waved off on a goalie interference challenge by the visitors. Not to be totally denied, Johnny Gaudreau finally got his goal during the ensuing power play on a screamer from the left circle. The celebration was short lived as the Islanders marched down and reclaimed the lead a mere 32 seconds later on a goal by Brock Nelson.
It seemed like the Jackets found some rhythm in the period as they managed to level the score again on a close range goal by Liam Foudy from a measured pass across the crease by Jack Roslovic.
But wait, there was more!
In what was probably his most spectacular goal, Kent Johnson gave Columbus the lead as he wrapped around the goal, lifted the puck onto the blade of his stick and snuck it over Sorokin’s right shoulder. The lead quickly doubled on a redirection by Eric Robinson from inside the crease to end a very productive period for the Blue Jackets.
THIRD PERIOD
The Islanders came out determined to recover from their rough second period. They pulled a goal back on a shot by Palmieri that was initially stopped by Hutchinson, but he lost track of it and it trickled into the back of the net. New York tied things up at the 8th minute mark on a powerplay goal by Nelson for his second tally of the evening.
Despite good puck movement that generated some chances, the game remained tied at the end of regulation.
OVERTIME
It only took 40 seconds for the Blue Jackets to score and secure all the points on the evening with the game winner coming courtesy of THE CAPTAIN Boone Jenner.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This game saw it all. Fantastic saves, end to end action, comebacks, The Mexican Wave, a player debut in Hunter McKown, and a SPECTACULAR GOAL by Kent Johnson. You also got to observe the range of the entire Jackets season when it came to highs and lows throughout the night. The 18,940 fans in attendance got their money’s worth of hockey for sure.
It was a gutsy comeback by the Blue Jackets… in a really bad time. Yes, they are not intentionally “tanking” for Bedard, but wins like this do not help their chances at an advantageous position in the lottery for the Draft. It’s a hard position for the team and the coaching staff.
After only a single game at home, Columbus is off on a three game road trip that kicks off in Montreal.