CBJ lose in a shootout
As the game started, we finally got to see a top line of Marchenko-Fantilli-Voronkov, but how many minutes they'd get is a different story.
1st Period
The first 5 minutes of the game had a lot of back-and-forth action. Elvis Merzlikins had to make a few good saves to keep it scoreless.
Kirill Marchenko had a great chance on Jonathan Quick but got in a little too deep and couldn't sneak it through.
With 6:15 left, Kirill Marchenko took a big hit from Jacob Trouba. Adam Fantilli came to his defense and got a shot to the face from Trouba for his troubles. The CBJ got a chance to go on the power play due to the roughing call. The Rangers killed the penalty keeping it scoreless.
Erik Gudbranson took a shot that was deflected by Justin Danforth and into the net making it 1-0 Jackets. The goal was assisted by Gudbranson and Zach Werenski. The assist by Werenski ties him with former Jacket Seth Jones for most assists by a defenseman.
But the Jackets couldn't keep the lead. Noted CBJ killer Chris Kreider launched a missile at the net that beat Merzlikins. The Net was fairly open after a quick back and forth from Gustafsson to Kreider.
CBJ 1, NYR 1 - Shots CBJ 7, NYR 7
2nd Period
Five minutes into the second, both teams ended up in the box when Sean Kuraly and Vincent Trocheck took minors. At this point, the Jackets were also outshooting the Rangers 8-1.
Dmitri Voronkov went to the box for tripping to give the Rangers their first PP. The Jackets top-3 PK was able to kill the PP off, allowing three shots.
But of course, just a minute after the CBJ killed the PP, the 5v5 for the CBJ let them down. Alexis Lafreniere scored a goal to make it 2-1. The Jackets were dominating the second period to this point.
Adam Fantilli tied it at 2 when he took a Ranger giveaway just outside the blue line, quickly brought it back in, and ripped it past Quick. Such a great individual play by Adam Fantilli. It was assisted by Voronkov.
Nineteen seconds later, Sean Kuraly drove to the net and put in a rebound. In the process, he slammed his neck into the right post. It took him a minute but he got up and celebrated. The goal was assisted by Texier and Gudbranson.
With 1:37 left on the clock, the Rangers took a shot from Elvis' left side. Elvis pinched it against the post and the Rangers thought it went in. The ref blew the whistle and signaled it a no-goal. It went to review and it was decided it was not a good goal, as the initial shot didn't go in and it was frozen. The score is still 3-2 Jackets.
CBJ 3, NYR 2 - Shots CBJ 16, NYR 15
3rd Period
Sean Kuraly hit Ryan Lindgren very hard into the glass and got a boarding call for it. It was ruled a major at first but then reduced to a minor. The Rangers were given a PP for the hit and a roughing penalty as well for Kuraly. While on the PP, Artemi Panarin took a high sticking call and put the Rangers on a 5-on-3. The Jackets killed off both Ranger power plays. Elvis has faced 7 shots on the PP to this point.
At the 10:00 mark of the third period, shots favored the Rangers 12-1. It had been all Rangers to that point, but the Jackets held them off.
The Rangers pulled Quick with two minutes to go in the game. They survived the 6-on-5 until there was 11 seconds left on the clock. Alex Lafreniere scored to tie it at 3 and send the game to overtime.
Overtime
NHL overtime is extremely exciting, yet extremely stressful. The Jackets had a few chances against Quick in OT, while the Rangers only had one rush during the first 3 minutes. The last two minutes ended up going end-to-end with tons of action, but no one would score. The game would end up going into a shootout.
Alexis Lafreniere scored the game-winner on Merzlikins to end the game in a shootout. No Jackets were able to score in the shootout.
CBJ 3,NYR 4
Final Stats
Photo Courtesy of CBJ AppGame Notes
- Elvis made 37 saves in a loss to the Rangers. He was outstanding.
- The CBJ PK continues to be great, killing all three Ranger PPs on the night.
- Zach Werenski tied the franchise record for assists by a defenseman. He was tied with Seth Jones.
- Dmitri Voronkov, with his assist now has 7 points in 9 games in the NHL.
- Adam Fantilli scored his 4th goal of the season. He now has 9 points.
The Blue Jackets will get the Pittsburgh Penguins at home on Tuesday. This marks the first time the CBJ will play the Pens this season.
Join Jason Newland's Columbus Blue Jacket page on Bunches, a new app that connects sports fans. Also, you can watch a new YouTube game show about the Blue Jackets, Around the Fifth Line.