In the first of a two-game road trip this weekend, the Blue Jackets fell behind the eight-ball early at Canada Life Centre.
The Winnipeg Jets jumped out to an early 2-0 lead before the Jackets struck on the power play to pull within one. Welcome back to Winnipeg, Patrik Laine!
The first Jets goal came at the 7:14 mark from Dominic Toninato with assists from Brendan Dillon and Zach Sanford. The second came shorthanded at the 12:30 mark from Kyle Connor with Toninato picking up the lone assist.
Just 31 seconds later, Columbus' Adam Boqvist struck on the power play on a shot from the point to make it 2-1. The goal was Boqvist's 11th of the season and in his first game back; Boqvist had been out of the lineup since late January with an upper body injury.
Welcome back, @BoqvistAdam! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/hTEX8tRouG
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) March 26, 2022
The period ended with a 14-4 lead in shots for Columbus, but a 2-1 lead for the Jets on the scoreboard.
The Jackets tied it at two just 3:22 into the second period on a shot from between the circles from Brendan Gaunce. The lone assist came from Emil Bemstrom, who pounced on a turnover in the offensive zone and found Gaunce coming through the slot.
WPG giveaway Gaunce game-tying goal! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/oJIneIqgGP
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) March 26, 2022
With 30.9 seconds to go in the second and on the power play, the Jets took the lead back on a shot from Josh Morrissey. Assists came by way of Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler.
The Blue Jackets led in shots after the second 22-21, but the Jets led 3-2 with 20 minutes to go.
Just when the Jets thought they had it sealed on an empty net goal, it was waived off due to a slashing penalty on Morrissey.
This led to a Blue Jackets power play where Oliver Bjorkstrand scored his 23rd goal of the season with 14 seconds left. Bjorkstrand slammed in a rebound off a Zach Werenski one-timer and briefly gave Columbus some life in the dying seconds of regulation.
The goal tied Bjorkstrand's career high for goals in a season and sent the game to overtime. His goal also helped the Blue Jackets finish 2-for-2 on the power play on the night.
OFF THE FACE-OFF, OLLIE FORCES OT WITH 14 SECONDS LEFT!#CBJ pic.twitter.com/3iGhinyjv5
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) March 26, 2022
But on a breakaway just 21 seconds into overtime, Winnipeg's Nikolaj Ehlers netted it to win the game for the Jets. After Kyle Connor sent him on a home-free breakaway (following a great chance for the Blue Jackets), Ehlers beat Elvis Merzlikins through the pads to give Winnipeg the second point.
The Jackets finished the night leading 36-33 in shots. Columbus heads to St. Paul next for a Saturday night matchup with the Minnesota Wild, with puck drop set for 8 p.m. ET.
