The Columbus Blue Jackets were looking for their third straight win on Wednesday night, as they headed up north to face the Ottawa Senators. They accomplished what they set out to do, defeating the Senators 4-1.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUE JACKETS | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| SENATORS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
The Blue Jackets came out guns blazing as they had all of the first ten shots on goal, including seven shots on back-to-back power plays. However, that didn't seem to matter as they gave up the first goal of the game for the 36th time this year. Halfway through the first period, Ottawa’s Tyler Ennis tipped the puck past Elvis Merzlikins' skate off a precision pass from Thomas Chabot.
Columbus would not remain silent for long as Jack Roslovic notched his 11th goal of the season just five minutes later. He went on an odd man rush with Zach Werenski, who caught Ottawa goalie Anton Forsberg out a little too far and whipped the puck across the goal for Roslovic to slip it behind Forsberg's outstretched leg. Patrik Laine also received an assist on the play.
Less than three minutes into the second period, the Blue Jackets struck again to go ahead 2-1. This time it was Eric Robinson as he took a below-the-goal-line stretch pass from Werenski, beat the defender and beautifully placed his shot across the goaltender's body and past the stick-side shoulder. Merzlikins was credited his first assist on the season as well, on that goal.
Later on, in the second period, Roslovic battled through a check from Ottawa defender Nikita Zaitsev to bury a rebound off a shot from Laine. The Finnish forward picked up his second of the night and moved into a tie for Blue Jackets' point leader with that assist. Gabriel Carlson also picked up an assist as Columbus moved ahead 3-1 going into the final period.
The third period was scoreless until Sean Kuraly scored an unassisted, empty net goal with less than two minutes to go to seal the 4-1 victory for Columbus. Merzlikins also did terrific job, saving 30 of 31 shots on the night.
Next Up:
The Columbus Blue Jackets take on the Washington Capitals in Nationwide Arena on Thursday night. Puck drop is at 7p.m. EST
