6-4 Blue Jackets Over Golden Knights- Cole Sillinger Hattrick- A Statement This Blue Jackets Team Is One To Watch

This was a busy first period 5th Line!  First off, Laine is just fine, eh?  At 2:12 he would score the first goal.  Assists going to both Nyquist and Roslovic.  The Golden Knights would answer at 3:13 with a goal of their own, from Marchessault.  We'd also see them score, again, at 7:23, from Carrier.  Their 2-1 lead wouldn't last long though!  At 11:53, we'd see the young Sillinger score his 9th goal on his first NHL Season.  Assists going to Bjorkstrand and Kukan!  Here we're tied at 2-2.  Then, less than a minute later, at 12:23, Bjorkstrand decided he wanted his own shot to go into the Vegas net!  12:23 was the time for his goal.  Assists to Domi and Kukan.  3-2 was the score after just 1 period of play! 

In Period 1, we also saw a major conflict on the ice, Domi would get into it with a Vegas Golden Knights.  This would end with #7 and #14 in the box for the Golden Knights, and only #16, Domi, in the box for the Blue Jackets.  Power play to the Blue Jackets with roughing penalties all around!  So, still not a designated fight, but still, was a physical argument.  

With Period 1 being so eventful, you'd expect it to carry over right?  Well, you'd have no idea how right you'd be!  At 5:36 we'd have a Blue Jackets goal, which was originally given to Bjorkstrand, but then given to Sillinger after review.  That makes 2 on the night for Sillinger, remember that.  Assists would go to Bjorkstrand, instead, and Peek.  Then, in no time, at 7:26, Sillinger would complete his first Hattrick ever.  This would come in only his 59th NHL Game.  How about that!  A huge congrats to the rookie on such a monumental accomplishment.  Assists on this goal would go to Bjorkstrand, again, and Domi.  I think it's safe to say we should keep Sillinger and Bjorkstrand on the same line.  Anyone else agree with me?  Now, there would be another goal from the Golden Knights, from Dadonov, at 8:28.  This would still leave the Blue Jackets with a 5-3 lead, at this point.   

In Period 3, a Golden Knight's Powerplay would result in a Golden Knights goal.  This would come early, at 2:40, from Eichel.  The Golden Knights would get another Powerplay, later on in the period, but it would result in 1 shot and no goal.  Merzlikins would come through, in this period, time and again.  Robinson would then score an empty net goal at 19:49.  An assist to Werenski would be on this goal, too.  

Third Star:  Max Domi

Second Star:  Oliver Bjorkstrand.  

First Star (No surprise):  Cole Sillinger!   That Hattrick sealed the deal, no doubt!  

To be honest, so many men contributed tonight.  We needed at least nine starts tonight, maybe more.  

Now, let's talk fun stuff, playoffs.  Currently the Capitals have played 60 games and have 74 points.  We've played 60 games and have 63 points, now.  Is 11 points a lot?  Sure.  Is it possible after tonight.  Yes, I still think so.  Regardless of a Playoff Bid this season though, this team is showing the NHL one thing.  We're here and we're getting better, every game.  Look what we can do, even without half our starters, including our Captain.  This was a statement tonight.  It's intimidating, and if we ride this game and follow it up right, the last 22 games of this season could be very fun 5th Line.  

Now, the bad news.  No hockey until Wednesday.  Boo.  Anyway, we'll be at the Senators on Wednesday, puck drop is 7:30 PM EST.  Until then...

GO CBJ!