The Columbus Blue Jackets went up against the Western Conference-leading Vegas Golden Knights on Monday. They were eager to get a win after dropping two straight close contests.
Vegas struck first as they slipped the puck past Daniil Tarasov's skate with four minutes left in the first period. They struck again less than a minute later and closed out the first period with a 2-0 lead.
The Blue Jackets began mounting a comeback as they notched a goal in the second, ending the period down 2-1. They built off that momentum in the third with Boone Jenner tying it up when he tapped the puck in off of a Johnny Gaudreau shot. They headed to overtime tied at two apiece.
The overtime period yielded no goals as the game headed to shootouts where the Golden Knights won it in round seven.
Shorter Handed
The Blue Jackets have been very shorthanded as of late, missing big names such as Patrik Laine, Zach Werenski, and Jakub Voracek. On Monday night, we received word that they would be without yet another skater in Matthieu Olivier, while fourth-year player, Liam Foudy took his place in the lineup.
Columbus looks poised to welcome back of few of its missing players in the next week or two, but for now, they can't seem to catch a break.
Go Johnny Go
In the second period, with the Blue Jackets desperate for a goal, Gaudreau delivered when he scored a beautiful one off of a pass from Gustav Nyquist. Then, over halfway through the final period, he got an assist on Jenner's game-tying goal.
Those were his eighth goal and 14th assist on the season, helping him keep up his point-per-game pace. He has been hot as of late, with 13 points in the last nine games. He leads the team in assists and total points.
johnny score goal, cannon go boom pic.twitter.com/aDnEsMDDIn
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 29, 2022
Playing From Behind, Yet Again
For the 12th time in this young season, the CBJ found themselves trying to play catch up as they let their opponent score first. All of the injuries have made it tough enough on this team, but getting behind early in over half of their games has not done them any favors. What's even more depressing is that nine out of those 12 games saw the Jackets let in multiple goals before getting on the board.
P.S. Tarasov Tests Well
Tarasov acquitted himself very well in his seventh start of the season. He saved 34 of 36 shots for a .944 SV%.
Next Up
The Columbus Blue Jackets head north to take on the Winnipeg Jets on Friday. The puck drop is at 8:00 p.m. EST.
