Take a bow, Sergei Bobrovsky.
Early on in this game, you wouldn't have thought a goaltending performance would be the headliner.
The Blue Jackets scored two quick goals in the first six minutes and led 2-0 before many folks in the sold-out crowd of 18,882 had found their seats (Gene Simmons included) – but after falling behind, the Carolina Hurricanes went on the gas pedal.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUE JACKETS | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| HURRICANES | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Adam McQuaid and David Savard scored wrist shot goals through traffic on Petr Mrazek for an early lead, and Bobrovsky was needed the rest of the way. Thankfully for the Blue Jackets, he was their best player, and made a village worth of timely and sharp stops to keep his team in front.
Having only three shots on goal over much of the final two-plus periods made it a heavy burden for Bobrovsky, but he was up for it. He made 46 saves in his best performances of the season, lifting the Blue Jackets in an enormous effort.
Sergei thank you. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/3KJ13vjOvT
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 16, 2019
Josh Anderson's 24th goal of the season was a workmanlike empty-netter in the final minutes, out-muscling a couple of Hurricanes players to get to the puck and send it into the open net, where Carolina had a 6-on-4 advantage with David Savard in the box for holding.
Big Josh Anderson
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 16, 2019
ices it. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/0GYsed7uQF
So, the Blue Jackets have back-to-back wins for the first time since Feb. 22-23. And they're into the first Wild Card position as a result.
Injury Update
A notable absence for the Blue Jackets continues to be defenseman Ryan Murray, whose timetable to return isn't known.
Next Up
The stretch drive rolls on for the Blue Jackets, who jump on a plane and are bound for Boston, where they'll face the Bruins on Saturday night at TD Garden.
