Well, it was bound to happen.
That could mean either a goal from Emil Bemstrom or the Blue Jackets ending their losing streak.
We're kidding, kind of.
Tonight the Blue Jackets did whatever they could to get two points. They needed both of them. And with that win, their first in a while, they're back in the Eastern Conference's second wild card position.
Here are tonight's three things.
FOLIGNO'S BIG NIGHT
For those in the arena, listening to captain Nick Foligno's first intermission "walk off" interview was something to behold. It was borderline NSFW.
Nick Foligno was PISSED in his intermission interview, shown in-arena:
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 25, 2020
"It's unacceptable. It's awful hockey. It's going to be rectified. We know what brand of hockey will brings it success, and that wasn't it." #CBJ
He did take a questionable penalty in the second period that led to an Ottawa power play goal, but this was one of his better games of the season. Foligno scored twice, including a goal on Columbus' first shot of the game, and tried to will his team through to a win.
Foligno on the first shot of the game! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/A3Oa8N7Pqj
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 25, 2020
ELVIS INJURED, KORPI RETURNS
Unfortunately, it took an injury to their rookie goaltender to give the Blue Jackets a pulse in this game. And that injury had poor and somewhat-good timing (if there is such a thing), as All-Star goaltender Joonas Korpisalo was back with the team and backing up Elvis Merzlikins.
Merzlikins was run over by Anthony Duclair, who then fell over and knocked him in the head. After some discussion with Blue Jackets head athletic trainer Mike Vogt, Merzlikins left the ice and went back to the team's dressing room. He did not return to the game (nor did forward Riley Nash, who was injured in the second period on a play behind the net).
Here's Anthony Duclair steamrolling Elvis Merzlikins. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/q5Gc9qACLn
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 25, 2020
The only cool thing to come out of the situation was the Nationwide Arena crowd's warm welcome for Korpisalo.
The Blue Jackets crowd with a loud welcome-back for All-Star goaltender Joonas Korpisalo.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/DblEBOLEJZ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 25, 2020
Korpisalo made 14 saves on 15 shots and looked sharp right from the get-go, which wasn't any easy entry with no warm-up. Depending on the severity of Merzlikins' injury, this could be Korpisalo's net for the next little while.
A BIG, LOUD EXHALE
Bemstrom went to the net, buried a rebound off a great Zach Werenski chance with 24.8 seconds left in a thrilling overtime, and finally ended the Blue Jackets' ill-timed eight-game losing streak.
This wasn't just an overtime win over the Ottawa Senators. Judging by their celebration and exuberant reactions, the Blue Jackets needed this one perhaps more than we thought they did. Now, it's on to Minnesota.
BEMSTROM. BUCKETS.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/gJpKjK3wOJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 25, 2020
