A much better performance.
In what could be the final game for several Blue Jackets players prior to Monday's 3:00 pm ET trade deadline, head coach Brad Larsen said he was going to ice all of his guys, opting to go with the same lineup from Thursday's game against the Capitals.
Larsen: Were gonna play. Were going to go out and play, and whatever happens happens. #CBJ
— Mark Scheig (@markscheig) March 19, 2022
| 1 | 2 | 3 | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUES | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| BLUE JACKETS | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
The plan worked out.
Elvis Merzlikins started the game in goal, making 19 saves as the Blue Jackets won 5-4. Joonas Korpisalo (five saves) picked up the win in relief of Merzlikins who left in the third period due to back tightness.
Emil Bemstrom, Patrik Laine, and Gus Nyquist each had a goal and assist. Sean Kuraly and Jake Voracek also scored for the Blue Jackets. Eric Robinson and Oliver Bjorkstrand each had two assists.
David Perron had a hat trick as part of a four-point night and Alexei Toropchenko scored his first career goal for the Blues. Brayden Schenn and Torey Krugg had two assists. Ville Husso made 22 saves as the Blues lost their third straight.
Vladimir Tarasenko missed the game with an illness resulting in the Blues playing with 11 forwards and seven defensemen.
Looking to turn the page from Thursday's 7-2 loss and get off to a quick start, Bemstrom delivered the game's first blow at 3:22 with Robinson and Vladislav Gavrikov grabbing assists. It's Bemstrom's third of the season and first since Jan. 31.
Bemstrom's third at 3:22 pic.twitter.com/MfhrQfzgnn #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 19, 2022
The Blue Jackets controlled much of the first period with a 10-2 shots edge early and 13-9 for the period.
In what was a big game for Perron, he found the first period equalizer on the power play. Perron walked right in to put away the first of his three goals at 12:36. Schenn and Krug picked up the first of two assists on the night. Perron has points in six straight.
On the Blue Jackets' second power play chance at 15:14 of the opening frame, Nyquist sent home Patrik Laine's beautiful feed for his 15th goal of the season. Laine continues a four-game point streak. Bjorkstrand picked up the first of his two assists.
25 goals for Patrik Laine.
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 19, 2022
An electrifying presence.
A goal-scorer that the city has craved.
This is the face of your franchise. #CBJ
For the goal, Laine made the move to shake the defender before getting off a sweet pass to Nyquist for the finish.
Patty to Gus pic.twitter.com/43n9T9AWPn #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 19, 2022
In the second period, the Blue Jackets kept up their intensity, capitalizing on their second power play chance when Laine's team-leading 25th goal beat Husso at 3:52. Jack Roslovic earned an assist as did Nyquist, picking up his second point.
Team-leading 25th goal for Laine! pic.twitter.com/8HYDuqExLO #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 19, 2022
Toropchenko's first career goal at 13:43 closed the gap to make it 3-2. The rookie drove to the net and was there to bank it in. Perron picked up his second point on the assist and Justin Faulk earned the assist.
Some stats through 40 minutes with help from @NatStatTrick
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) March 19, 2022
Shots on goal: 20-20
Shot attempts (5x5): 32-24 STL
xG (5x5): 1.15-0.96 CBJ#CBJ O-zone possession: 8:51
STL O-Zone possession: 9:49
Pretty even game. St. Louis pushed there in the second.
It's been a career year for the Ohio native and off-season addition Kuraly, who delivered his 11th goal of the season at 6:59 of the third period to propel Columbus to a 4-2 advantage. Robinson picked up his second assist and Bemstrom had his second point.
Career year for Kuraly. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/ajfWTeqb4e
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 19, 2022
On a power play, Perron's second of the game at 8:03 made it a one-goal game again. Krug and Schenn each picked up their second assist.
Trying to retake the momentum, Voracek came through with his fourth of the season at 12:24. Bjorkstrand added his second helper and Jake Bean had an assist.
Jake Voracek's fourth! pic.twitter.com/tJVqPHjLTy #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 19, 2022
Perron completed his seventh career hat trick for his 21st goal of the season at 18:40. Jordan Kyrou and Pavel Buchnevich each picked up assists on the play.
The win makes it four out of five games for the Blue Jackets.
- Shots: 28-27 Blues
- Hits: 12-8 Blues
- Faceoff Wins: 39-19 Blues
- Blocked Shots: 13-7 Blue Jackets
- Power Play: Blues 2-for-3, Blue Jackets 1-for-4
- Zach Werenski led both teams with six shots, four blocked shots
Next Up
The Blue Jackets (32-28-3, 67 points) will travel to Pittsburgh to face the Penguins (38-16-9, 85 points) on Tuesday night from PPG Paints Arena. The Blue Jackets are 0-2-0 against the Penguins this season. Puck drop is at 7:00 pm ET.
