Oh, hockey, how we've missed you.
After 9 Blue Jacket-less hockey days, the Columbus club opened its post-all-star break season with an overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres in a Saturday afternoon contest.
Without further ado, let's discuss today's Three Things:
AN OPENING TRIBUTE
Though Blue Jacket fans undoubtedly looked forward to seeing their team on the ice, the most memorable moment of today's game came before the opening faceoff.
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) February 1, 2020
In observance of last Sunday's tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gigi, the Blue Jackets had only two players take the ice during the national anthems: number 24, Nathan Gerbe, and number 8, Zach Werenski.
The gesture was a nod to the late L.A. Laker, who wore both numbers during his historic NBA career. Gerbe, asked in a first intermission interview, explained that John Tortorella had the idea for the tribute.
THE OTHER LATVIAN GOALTENDER
Though not originally considered near the top of the Blue Jackets' goaltender depth chart, Matiss Kivlenieks has had two strong performances to start his NHL career. The Latvian goaltender is 1-0-1 with a save percentage of .946 and a goals-against of 1.5 in two starts.
Incredibly, his NHL numbers are, so far, significantly better than his AHL stats. Over the past three seasons, Kivlenieks has averaged 3.22 goals against per game and a .891 save percentage with the Cleveland Monsters.
While the Blue Jackets play a goalie-friendly defensive system, Kivlenieks has made several big saves at key times, an essential quality of an NHL goaltender. Kivlenieks has also played well in the AHL since his first NHL start, posting two wins, a.955 save percentage, and a 1.64 goals-against average in two games.
SLOW START, STRONGER FINISH
As to be expected, the Blue Jackets started their first game in nine days on the slower side. It didn't help that their first game was an afternoon contest against a team that's played twice since the all-star break. Passes were mistimed, the transition game was sloppy, and the team struggled to manifest the Blue Jacket's trademarked speed that's often led to success.
Eventually, the Blue Jackets were able to find their footing and tie the game thanks to the continued goal-scoring brilliance of Oliver Bjorkstrand, who now has 7 goals in his last four games played.
SCALDING HOT, OLIVER BJORKSTRAND.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/sn98mObL1k
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 1, 2020
Though the team couldn't get the win, the Blue Jackets' third-period play was evident of their success before the break, boding well that the team can return to their winning ways in the season's home stretch.
