A Night of Firsts: Blue Jackets Enter Uncharted Waters With Their Dramatic Game 1 Win over Washington

By Dan Dukart on April 13, 2018 at 12:01 am
People are literally already exiting the building
Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
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That was big.

If it feels like uncharted territory, well, it's because it is.

The Columbus Blue Jackets won Game 1 on the road, and in doing so, made history in a number of ways. Let us catch you up:

First Playoff Lead 

For the first time in franchise history, the Blue Jackets own a lead in a Stanley Cup playoffs series. Obviously, they've never won one, but leading is a nice place to start. This team belongs, and it was obvious tonight. The Blue Jackets overcame a ton of adversity – penalties, ejections, injuries, deficits – but found a way to get the job done. 

First Playoff Overtime Goal For Artemi Panarin

If it wasn't obvious last year, it is now: The Blue Jackets needed a game-breaking type player, and they found one. Panarin was magical in the third period and the OT, and his overtime goal was a nothing play, until the Russian dynamo went full on Yeast Mode.

First Playoff Goals For Alexander Wennberg and Seth Jones 

Wennberg was, to be blunt, invisible in his first five games of playoff action a season ago as the Blue Jackets fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins (0-1-1 in 5 GP). Tonight, he turned the tide and scored the team's first goal of the playoffs. He gave the club life when they needed it most. 

Meanwhile, Jones scored the biggest goal of his career, tying the score at 3–3 with just 4:26 remaining in the third period.

Jones, who played a game-high 30:59, has elevated his play to a new level in the past year. He's a legitimate Norris Trophy candidate, and it's about time the rest of the world sees why.

First (Two) Playoff Points for Pierre-Luc Dubois

Before the series, we highlighted that Pierre-Luc Dubois may be an x-factor, given the importance placed on the center position. As has been the case all season, Dubois didn't just meet expectations, he exceeded them.

Dubois played 23:35, the second most among Blue Jackets forwards, trailing only Cam Atkinson (25:10). It's clear the John Tortorella will continue to play his young center in all situations, and it's hard to disagree with his logic.

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