The Columbus Blue Jackets went to Minnesota to play their first game without their superstar Johnny Gaudreau. They would lose the game 3-2
The Blue Jackets got the first game out of the way, now they can play hockey.
Kent Johnson scored the Blue Jackets' first goal of the season two minutes into the second period to tie the game at one. Zach Werenski scored a power-play goal at 17:06 of the third to bring Columbus to within one goal, but that would be it. The Jackets would fall 3-2 despite a late flurry of shots and scoring chances.
Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Mats Zuccarello all scored for the Wild in the win.
The CBJ didn't play terribly in this game and had a chance to tie it at the end. It wasn't the prettiest game by either team, but a fun game against their expansion cousins.
On to Colorado.
Final Stats
CBJ AppPlayers Stats
- Kent Johnson had a goal and an assist, played 18:05, and had 4 shots.
- Zach Werenski scored his first goal of the season, a power-play goal. He also had 7 shots.
- Cole Sillinger had an assist and 2 hits.
- Yegor Chinakhov had an assist and led all forwards with over 20 minutes of ice time.
- Damon Severson had an assist and 2 blocked shots.
- Sean Monahan had 4 giveaways in his CBJ debut.
- Elvis Merzļikins stopped 23 of 26 Wild shots.
Team Stats
- The Jackets went 1/3 on the power play.
- Columbus stopped 2 of 3 Wild power plays.
- The CBJ won 47.5% of their faceoffs.
What's Next - Columbus travels to Colorado to face the Avalanche on Saturday at 9 PM EST.
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