A third period rally got the Blue Jackets a valuable point tonight.
Two goals in the third got Columbus its 19th point of the season, but Steven Stamkos' shootout goal was the deciding tally in a 5-4 final. The Blue Jackets are 9-4-1 headed to New York on Monday night.
When the Blue Jackets and Lightning met two weeks ago at Nationwide Arena, the home team wasn't particularly fond of its start. Tonight on the road at Amalie Arena, they stemmed the early tide and got their bearings in the first period – but a sloppy, error-laden second period brought their game to a screeching halt.
And then, there was the third period.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | F/SO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUE JACKETS | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| LIGHTNING | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
Markus Hannikainen jammed in a wrap around with 10:14 to play, and a few minutes later, Brandon Dubinsky scored his first goal of the season to bring the Blue Jackets back to a 4-4 tie. Their third period was the total opposite of the second, and it started with their skating.
Sergei Bobrovsky was beaten four times in the first two periods, but he made a key save to keep the Blue Jackets in the game early in the third period. Brayden Point broke free and had a clear-cut chance, but Bobrovsky held his ground made a huge save. The game turned in Columbus' favor from that point.
The Blue Jackets had their chance in OT. A power play opportunity went begging and Artemi Panarin had two glorious chances – the second, a one-time rocket off a Seth Jones pass, was denied by his friend and countryman Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Though they're 0-for-2 with now two frustrating losses to the Eastern Conference's top team, there were bright spots for the Blue Jackets. Pierre-Luc Dubois, back at center ice, made a great pass to Zach Werenski as the defenseman crept in from the point, tying the game 2-2 late in the first period. The Blue Jackets were aggressive in the third period and got a huge goal from Dubinsky, who desperately needed to get on the scoresheet.
Bobrovsky made two more saves in the shootout but was beaten by a quick shot by Stamkos over his right shoulder.
Injury Update
Matt Calvert absorbed a hard hit from Lightning defenseman Dan Girardi in the third period and left the game. Cam Atkinson did not join the Blue Jackets for this road trip as he recovers from a hip injury and an illness. He's not expected to play until Tuesday at the earliest.
Next Up
The Blue Jackets conclude this three-game road trip on Monday night at Madison Square Garden, taking on the suddenly-surging New York Rangers. They return to Nationwide Arena on Tuesday against the Nashville Predators.
Follow 1st Ohio BatteryFacebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube
