The Columbus Blue Jackets have gotten really good at getting one point.
For the 4th time in just 16 games this season, the Blue Jackets were the recipient of the "loser point" - this time against the Blackhawks in Chicago. Saturday's game was particularly painful, as Patrick Kane and company took advantage of sloppy play late in the third period to tie it, and again in overtime to pick up the victory.
Here are three things from Chicago.
KORPI'S PERFORMANCE WASTED
Joonas Korpisalo saved 28 of Chicago's 31 shots, and at least two of the goals can be put squarely on poor defensive play by the Blue Jackets.
2-2
— Alison (@AlisonL) February 14, 2021
A #CBJ turnover gives #Blackhawks the opportunity and Soderberg doesnt miss. pic.twitter.com/k2MPRfQRE8
Coming into the season, the bread and butter of the Columbus Blue Jackets was their blue line.
That bread has went moldy.
If a team has Patrik Laine, a red-hot Cam Atkinson, a red-hot Jack Roslovic, and (supposedly) one of the best defensive pairings in the league, and the goalie plays good enough to win? That team better get two points. It didn't happen tonight, it's not the first time, and the reality is, it's probably not the last time.
CAM'S KILLIN' IT
After a rare four-point performance in Columbus' 6-5 thriller Thursday, Cam Atkinson had two more in the Saturday night rematch. He set up Patrik Laine on the first Blue Jackets goal of the night, and had a crafty deflection that resulted in the second goal of the night.
Laine's goal was sweet, but it doesn't happen without Cam's perfect look.
JUST STOP GOING TO OVERTIME.
It was the 5th game this season that has went to overtime, and the Blue Jackets now stand at 1-4 in the 4th period and beyond. Columbus should be better than that, but things like this continue to happen:
3-2 #CBJ fall to #Blackhawks
— Alison (@AlisonL) February 14, 2021
Jackets thought they had the clear, but Chicago gets the puck going back their way and Debrincat finishes pic.twitter.com/FSRIqi5hRD
Following the game, head coach John Tortorella chalked the play up to captain Nick Foligno needing to be better. "(Nick) needed to have better coverage," said Tortorella. "It's just a 2-on-2. It's an easy play."
It's even easier when you hang on to your third period leads, and turnovers like the one above are why the Blue Jackets continue to find themselves coming up short.
