The Jackets went down 3-1 early and were able to come back, but would lose it late on with bad puck luck.
James van Riemsdyk(5,6), Zach Werenski(12), and Sean Monahan(14) scored the goals in the loss for Columbus, while goalie Elvis Merzļikins made 21 saves.
Despite the score, the Blue Jackets struggled all night. They couldn't get anything going or set up, and the transition game was non-existent for the most part. After two periods, the Jackets only had 6 scoring chances and were dominated in Corsi and Fenwick. With all that said, the score was tied at three going into the third period.
The Jackets tied the game with just under three minutes to play and then were awarded a power play because Detroit failed at a challenge. But the Jackets Couldn't capitalize on that power play. Instead, the Red Wings would block an Ivan Provorov shot that bounced back out to a waiting Red Wing, who then shoveled the puck into the neutral to an awaiting Jonatan Berggren who just came out of the box. He shot down the ice on a breakaway and would beat Elvis Merzļikins for the game-winner. A tough luck bounce that led to the game-winning goal is vintage Columbus Blue Jackets.
That was a deflating goal. Ivan Provorov, Denton Mateychuk, Zach Aston-Reese, Mathieu Olivier, and Cole Sillinger were on the ice for the Jackets in the dying seconds of that power play.
The Columbus penalty kill let them down by allowing two goals on three Detroit power plays, which essentially did the CBJ in on this night. The Jackets had been running at a 90% kill efficiency over the last 10 games, but last night was not their night.
As James van Riemsdyk said after the game, they need to have short memories, because they play again on Saturday against the Blues, and need to get back on track.
"We made a mistake at the end. We should get out of there. But you know, our group is trying to score. But we make a mistake at the end. The resilience of our group is good." - Dean Evason
Final Stats
Player Stats
- James van Riemsdyk scored his 5th and 6th goals of the season. He also got his 6th assist.
- Zach Werenski scored his 12th goal of the season and now leads all NHL defensemen. He also recorded his 30th and 31st assists. He's 4th in the NHL for assists by a defenseman. He has scored a point in 14 straight home games. That streak is also the longest such streak in the NHL in the last 30 years.
- Sean Monahan scored his 14th goal of the year.
- Cole Sillinger notched his 15th assist.
- Ivan Provorov recorded his 12th assist.
- Adam Fantilli scored his 9th and 10th assists.
- Elvis Merzļikins stopped 21 of 26 shots.
Team Stats
- The Blue Jackets scored on one of two power plays.
- The Columbus PK let Detroit score on 2 of 3 man advantages.
- The Jackets won 51% of the faceoffs.
What's Next - The Jackets return home on Saturday to play the St Louis Blues.
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