Oh, what might have been.
Tuesday's game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Vancouver Canucks was nearly in doubt after a COVID-19 outbreak struck the Canucks. Defenseman Brad Hunt and Luke Schenn, and forward Juho Lammikko were all unavailable for the Canucks as the trio entered COVID-19 protocol.
Played 5:37 in the first period against #CBJ https://t.co/FzO5jDDwqO
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) December 15, 2021
The game would play on as scheduled, and the Canucks won 4-3.
Elvis Merzlikins (35 saves on 39 shots) and Jaroslav Halak (20 saves on 23 shots) were in the opposite goals. Halak earned his first win of the season as he improves to 1-4-1. Merzlikins falls to 3-1-0 against the Canucks.
Make A Statement
It's been a tough season for the Canucks. They brought in new head coach Bruce Boudreau who has spearheaded the Canucks to a five-game winning streak. Jim Rutherford was hired recently as the new president of hockey operations and will also serve as interim GM.
Then there's the COVID-19 impact from Tuesday, alone, affecting the team, who canceled their practice as a precaution.
Back on Black Friday at Nationwide Arena, the Canucks played the Blue Jackets tough, although the Blue Jackets won that first meeting 4-2, despite being outshot 41-21. MoneyPuck gave the Canucks the 72% edge on the Deserve To Win O'Meter.
What was in store Tuesday?
The Blue Jackets made a first period statement by striking first on the scoreboard thanks to two Eric Robinson first period goals at 4:25 and 16:18. Max Domi (We covered him Tuesday) also stays hot with his seventh goal at 11:37. Domi continues an excellent road trip with four points (three goals, one assist) in two games. Alexandre Texier assisted on both of Robinson's goals.
TEX + ROB = pic.twitter.com/k4D1h2r5tr #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 15, 2021
DOMI'S HOT pic.twitter.com/cAkt6FgHrv #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 15, 2021
like how pic.twitter.com/HVw8Ybpj4M #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 15, 2021
Robinson's second goal was all hustle, starting from Columbus' end and not ending until the puck was behind Halak at the other end.
Some stats through 20 with help from @NatStatTrick
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) December 15, 2021
Shots on goal: 12-8 #CBJ
Shot attempts (5x5): 23-14 CBJ
xG (5x5): 1.03-0.24 CBJ
Sustain The Pressure?
We've seen the Blue Jackets score goals in bunches at times. They jumped out to a 4-1 lead on Saturday night against the Seattle Kraken before Columbus broke free with the overtime winner.
After leading by three after one on Tuesday, could the Blue Jackets clamp down before letting the Canucks back into it?
No.
The Canucks tilted the ice in their favor, outshooting the Blue Jackets 18-5 in the second period. Bo Horvat's eighth goal at 7:41 occurred while the teams were four-on-four.
Stats through 40 with some help from @NatStatTrick
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) December 15, 2021
Shots on goal: 26-17 VAN (18-5 in second)
Shot attempts (5x5): 41-38 #CBJ
xG (5x5): 1.40-1.35 CBJ
Elias Pettersson's sixth goal at 4:07 of the third cut the Blue Jackets' lead to 3-2.
Columbus has been outshot 24-5 since the first period ended and Elvis Merzlikins is doing all he can to keep his team ahead. The trend continues. #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 15, 2021
Vasili Podkolzin's sixth tally moments later at 9:35 drew the Canucks even, and Horvat's second of the game on the power play at 19:01 was the difference as the Canucks completed the 4-3 comeback. Columbus was outshot 31-11 over the final two periods and it’s the second consecutive game the Blue Jackets have blown a three-goal lead.
Status Quo?
Yegor Chinakhov sat as a healthy scratch for the fifth consecutive game. We covered this topic recently, too. The explanation from head coach Brad Larsen has been that guys are playing well and that there isn't anyone who deserves to be out of the lineup.
#CBJ head coach Brad Larsen was asked about Yegor Chinakhov's recent healthy scratches: Weve had a good week here, 2-1-1. Guys are playing well. We talk about it a lot, who deserves to be in and out. Right now, I dont think anybody deserves to be out.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) December 14, 2021
That's all well and good except it's a disservice to let a 20-year-old rookie lose out on development by being stapled to the bench. Patrik Laine will assuredly be in the lineup in the near future for the Blue Jackets...how long will this continue with Chinakhov?
Could Chinakhov end up in Cleveland to gain playing time, coupled with Laine's looming return?
With the continuous uncertainty of COVID ramping up around the league, the Blue Jackets might like the idea of Chinakhov being so close nearby, but he needs to play games, too. Same storyline with Emil Bemstrom who has yet to play for the Blue Jackets in 2021-22 after being recalled from the Cleveland Monsters on Dec. 8.
Edmonton, Alberta
The Blue Jackets will battle the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place on Thursday at 9:00 pm ET. The Oilers lost at home to the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1 on Tuesday extending their six-game losing streak.
