One to forget.
Looking to break a three-game winless streak, the Columbus Blue Jackets visited the New York Islanders on Thursday night at the brand new UBS Arena.
It was not fun.
Ilya Sorokin earned his sixth shutout of the year, making 27 saves and Andres Lee scored the hat trick to shut down the Blue Jackets 6-0. The Islanders also had goals from Brock Nelson, Josh Bailey, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
Joonas Korpisalo made his first start since Jan. 30, and played in his first game since Jan. 31, after missing time with a lower body injury. He made saves 25 saves.
Poor Korpisalo
Korpisalo returned to action for the first time in over a month so it's natural to expect a little rust.
Nelson's 22nd goal at 10:32 came on a power play — Islanders had a five-on-three — but the goal allowed by Korpisalo was not good. They're never good but the puck squirted through the five-hole. The soft goals allowed tonight were a theme as Korpisalo struggled throughout the game.
The Blue Jackets defense didn't help matters as the team had 21 giveaways.
In the second period at 6:08, Bailey put through his fourth of the season to make it 2-0 Islanders.
Palmieri made both of the Jackets' D on the second pairing pay for failures to get that puck ... first Gavrikov's flubbed chip along the wall and then putting the pass between Kukan's skates to Bailey.#CBJ down 2-0 with 11:44 left in the 2nd period.
— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) March 11, 2022
The play started in the Blue Jackets zone, but the Islanders won the face-off, chipping the puck off the boards and up the ice quickly where the Islanders were able to make the Jackets pay on the other end.
Another goal came off a turnover leading to Lee's 17th at 13:49 to make it 3-0. The shot was glove side but Korpisalo appeared unable to read it correctly to make the play.
More of the same when Pageau converted for the Islanders on a 4-on-3 short-handed goal to make it 4-0. Another turnover at center ice led to the goal. It's the first time in franchise history the Blue Jackets have allowed a goal while on a 4-on-3 advantage in 1,626 games.
Isles score on a shorthanded odd-man rush. Pageau with an open net off a nice pass. #CBJ had a 4-on-3 PP with a chance to get back into this one, then that happens. 4-0 Isles lead.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) March 11, 2022
It had never happened to #CBJ in their 1,626-game history until tonight.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) March 11, 2022
On the flip side, #CBJ have scored three goals while down 3-on-4 most recently it happened in 2013-14, when Brandon Dubinsky scored an unassisted shorthanded goal against Toronto.
Intermission stat. How bad have the goaltending numbers been for #CBJ this season? Their one and two goalies (Merzlikins and Korpisalo) came into the night having the third and fourth on their own team in goals-against average.
— Mark Scheig (@markscheig) March 11, 2022
As they say, that ain't good.
Lee's second of the game and 18th of the season at 11:57 came on the rebound in the third period. His 19th of the year came at 19:59 to complete the hat trick.
Tough Break
After signing a two-year deal earlier this week, Danforth left for the dressing room in the first period after blocking a shot and feeling it. He returned to the bench in the same frame but was unable to go.
Danforth was limited to three shifts (1:59).
Justin Danforth came back to the #CBJ bench and skated a bit during a timeout, but it appears he's gone back down the tunnel. Chinakhov just skated in his spot with Sillinger and Domi.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) March 11, 2022
UPDATE: F Justin Danforth (lower body injury) is questionable to return to tonights game at NY Islanders. #CBJ
— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) March 11, 2022
Danforth missed 19 games earlier this season with a knee injury and looks like he could miss more time. Hopefully not as we hope for the best.
Lone Bright Spot?
Eric Robinson was the other Blue Jacket returning to action after missing the previous 14 games with a lower body injury. He was back on the penalty kill, helping thwart one of three chances in 27 seconds of short-handed ice-time. Robinson had six hits, two takeaways, and one shot in 13:02.
Eric Robinson right back on the #CBJ PK, and looking good. We're back to even strength here.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) March 11, 2022
Into the Wild
The Blue Jackets host the Minnesota Wild on Friday at Nationwide Arena at 7:00 pm ET. It'll be the first matchup versus the Wild in 2021-22. The Wild defeated the Detroit Red Wings 6-5 in a shootout in the Motor City.
