The Blue Jackets fell in their third home game of the season to the Anaheim Ducks, 2-1.
After picking up their first win against Buffalo in overtime on Monday, the Blue Jackets started off strong by controlling the pace of play early in the first. Meanwhile, the Ducks – who lost to the Penguins 2-1 last night – had a tough time getting into the game, but 39-year-old Ryan Miller stepped up in his first start of the season and allowed the Ducks to find their game.
In the second, both the Ducks and Jackets found the back of the net, but it was Anaheim who finished the second up ahead by a goal, despite Columbus controlling the game for most of the period. The third period started the same way as the first and second with the Jackets surging, but not able to find twine.
Here are tonight’s three things.
Goalie Duel
Miller was tested in his first start of the season by a Blue Jackets team that came out and put five shots on him quickly, and when the ice tilted the other way, Korpisalo stepped up in a big way.
After another flurry of chances for the Blue Jackets, it was the Ducks who broke through first with a shorthanded goal off of a rebound, then picked up another one...which Korpisalo may want back, though Cam Fowler was left alone in the slot. The Jackets cashed later in the period to make it a one-goal game, and near the end of the second, Korpisalo made a huge save to keep it close.
Korpisalo out here redeeming himself. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/GLPoICfXUJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 12, 2019
Lackluster Power Play
Three disappointing power plays for the Blue Jackets produced one – one! – shot on net and a shorthanded goal for the Ducks. While it's too early to tell, the "new look" power play may lead to the same results as the old one.
The only bright spots here were Oliver Bjorkstrand's two shots towards the net, one of which beat Miller, but found the crossbar.
About as close as it gets. What a rip by Bjorkstrand. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/oHf0u8mkqS
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 12, 2019
No Finish
Whether it was through missing the net, shots being blocked, a poke-check by Miller or the post, the Blue Jackets were not hurting in terms of scoring chances – but they were not able to put the biscuit in the basket. They weren't able to put the stuffing in the turkey, the turkey in the oven, or the cat in the hat, and that has been the issue for the club so far this season. They're off to Raleigh tonight, where they'll face the white-hot Carolina Hurricanes tomorrow night at PNC Arena.
