Blue Jackets Use Huge Third Period To Pull Away from Canadiens, Win Their Second Straight Game

By Rob Mixer on November 19, 2019 at 9:31 pm
Columbus Blue Jackets center Emil Bemstrom (52) looks to pass as Montreal Canadiens center Nate Thompson (44) defends during the first period at Nationwide Arena.
Russel LaBounty – USA Today Sports
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Sometimes, you just need a bounce.

And the Blue Jackets were due a truck load of them.

  1 2 3 F
BLUE JACKETS 1 1 3 5
CANADIENS 1 1 0 2

They didn't need much luck tonight, though, as they used a massive third period to bury the Montreal Canadiens, 5-2, at Nationwide Arena, securing a second consecutive win to move back to .500 (8-8-4) at the 20-game mark.

Pierre-Luc Dubois was a monster. He scored two key goals, first the 2-2 goal in the second period and the put-away goal to make it 5-2 late in the third period. Joonas Korpisalo withstood a slew of barrages from the Canadiens, and on the special teams front, Boone Jenner scored an insurance power play goal to make it 4-2 midway through the third.

This was a needed win for the Blue Jackets – their first multi-goal victory of the season and only their fourth win in regulation. The five goals were the most they've put up in a game all season. That's hard to believe, right? 

The Blue Jackets controlled the opening period and could have scored a few goals if not for Price, who was outstanding early on. Eric Robinson scored his second of the season – and second against Price – only 1:24 into the game after a terrific cross-ice pass from David Savard.

And despite having the better of play in the first period, Columbus yielded a tying goal with 3:29 left in the frame. A defensive breakdown gave Montreal a royal-road look for Artturi Lehkonen, and he roofed the puck over Joonas Korpisalo. 

Injury Update

Markus Nutivaara remained out of the lineup due to an injury. Ryan Murray returned tonight after a one-game injury absence from a blocked shot last week in Montreal.

Next Up

The Blue Jackets are back at Nationwide Arena on Thursday night when they face the Detroit Red Wings. Game time is set for 7 p.m. 

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