The rally comes up empty.
As the Columbus Blue Jackets headed north of the border on Tuesday looking to make it two wins in a row, it was instead the Toronto Maple Leafs taking this contest 5-4.
Jack Campbell earned the win, stopping 28 of 32 shots, while Elvis Merzlikins stopped 25 of 30. Daniil Tarasov took over in the third period and saved all 10 shots he faced.
Road Slump
Though the Blue Jackets were able to end their recent four-game losing streak on home ice on Sunday, the road problems continue. Tuesday's loss to the Maple Leafs extends their road losing streak to five games.
Everyone knew this matchup would be a tough test for the Blue Jackets and the vaunted Maple Leafs made them pay with three first period goals on 18 shots.
Columbus has now allowed at least three goals in six-straight games, and at least three goals in all 12 road games this season. Their first period struggles are also well-documented: -19 shot differential over the last two games and outscored 8-1 in the last four road games.
I mean giving up five goals is giving up five goals, but you wonder how different this game could be if Campbell doesn't make two unreal saves and the #CBJ doesn't hit two posts.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) December 8, 2021
Just when it looked like you could draw a moral victory for the second period, the Leafs scored consecutive goals seven seconds apart (John Tavares on the power play at 18:34 and Auston Matthews at 18:41). That proved to be the difference as Columbus scored three goals in the final frame, including Max Domi's fourth at 19:59 of the third period.
Not As Close As It Looks
While the Blue Jackets continue to give up shots and goals on the road, they're not able to generate the same kind of offense away from Nationwide Arena as we've seen in the friendly confines. Or at least find the net with regularity as they do at home.
Yes, the four goals tonight is pretty respectable, but they were really never in this game like the score would suggest. Though Columbus did have the edge in CF%, that doesn't always tell the full story, as they've won quite a few games this season in which they've trailed in that category.
After six goals on Sunday against the San Jose Sharks—and 10 in their previous two home games—the Jackets have been outscored 23-9 in their previous five road games. They've been outshot in 10-straight games.
Maestro x 2
Shoutout Oliver Bjorkstrand. He (alongside Sean Kuraly and Domi) kept this from being a shutout and is hopefully getting hot. After ending his own personal seven-game goalless drought with a second period power play goal, Bjorkstrand scored 33 seconds into the third period to get the game within three. He also led the game with seven shots.
Kuraly might also be starting to get hot with goals in consecutive games.
The Maestro had gone seven games without a goal and now he's just three points shy of 200 in his #CBJ career. A big one for Bjorkstrand and for the Jackets, who have to feel they are back in this one.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) December 8, 2021
198 career points now for The Maestro. As I said earlier, #CBJ could really use one of those Bjorkstrand hot streaks right now.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) December 8, 2021
Goals in two straight games now for Kuraly #CBJ net empty with 2:34 left and the Jackets with an offensive zone draw.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) December 8, 2021
Duck Hunting
After the brief stop in Canada, the Blue Jackets will be back at home at Nationwide Arena on Thursday to take on the Anaheim Ducks at 7:00 pm ET. The Ducks defeated the Buffalo Sabres 2-0 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Tuesday.
