Pitsburgh Penguins @ Columbus Blue Jackets: 2022-23 Game 6 Recap

Aside from Period 3 of the last Columbus Blue Jackets Game (Nashville Predators @ Columbus Blue Jackets) Period 1 of this game had to be the next best this team has played in the 2022-23 NHL Season.  They ran the game throughout the first 20 minutes.  First, the offense was on point.  At 7:13, Captain Boone Jenner would find his first goal of the season.  The loan assist on this goal would go to Johnny Gaudreau, who already has 7 points this season.  This was followed up with a goal from Jack Roslovic, his first of the 2022-23 NHL Season.  His goal would have no assists.  The defense would have a great showing, helping Elvis Merzlikins protect the Blue Jackets net all period, resulting in a 2-0 Blue Jackets lead.  They would also outshoot the Penguins by 10, a 17-7 comparison.  

However, in Period 2 the Penguins would find their grove.  J. Archibald would score at 3:43, cutting the Blue Jackets lead to just 1 goal.  Then, something would happen which we've been waiting months for 5th Line, a Kent Johnson goal!  He would score at 3:57, just seconds after J. Archibald.  Congratulations to Johnson, it was a long time coming and now, it's finally here.  There was only one assist on this goal, and it would go to Jack Roslovic, his second of the season thus far.  The score would be 3-1 Blue Jackets, but sadly this wouldn't hold. At 10:04 J. Rutta would score for the Penguins, then D. Heimen would tack on the tying goal at 14:19.  This would allow the Penguins to claw back, resulting in a 3-3 tied game going into Period 3.  

As this final regulation period would begin, we'd also learn of a Blue Jackets player injury.  As I shared on my Twitter and Facebook pages, Justin Danforth was injured and never returned for Period 2.  This was the time, between periods 2 and 3, which we learned he wouldn't return for the third period either.  

At 5:38 S. Crosby would score again for the Penguins, resulting in a 4-3 lead, their first tonight.  The game was in reach still for the Columbus Blue Jackets, who would have a few good chances, but those good chances didn't amount to goals.  Close doesn't win a game and the Penguins wouldn't get close, they'd be able to score again twice.  The first would come from D. Heimen at 14:07 and then another at 14:51, from B. McGinn.  A 4-3 Penguins lead would quickly turn into a 6-3 one.  This would be the game final, a Penguins 6-3 win.  

I'm not going to lie; this is a painful loss.  I'm sure Kent Johnson didn't want his first NHL goal to be in a losing, home game.  There were times in Period's 2 and 3 that the defense wasn't in the right spot to help Elvis Merzlikins.  The offense had great chances, but as I said, chances don't amount to goals and wins.  I don't like pointing out these facts, but they really had this game and then just got outskated.  What a shame.  However, maybe it's a good thing they have a chip on their shoulder, because tomorrow night will be anything but easy.  A game in New York's Madison Square Garden is a challenge to begin with but add in how they were a deep playoff team and it's as tall an order as you can get.  If they can play like they did in Period 1 for a full game tomorrow, I have every faith in them pulling off a good game and maybe even a win.  However, they can't just meet the challenge they have to exceeded it tomorrow, no doubt.  

Now, I won't discount tonight's wins, because even in a loss there were ones.  Boone Jenner had his first goal of the season, after missing the final 1/4th of last season due to a back injury.  Jack Roslovic wouldn't just have hist first goal of the season, but also an assist on Kent Johnson.  Speaking of Kent Johnson had his first goal as an NHL player, which is also huge.  Elvis Merzlikins had some great saves as always, while the offense and defense each had great moments as a whole.  The only disappointing pare of this game was Period 3 and how the Penguins came out and ran away with it and this game.  

Tomorrow night's game, as I said above, will be in New York's Madison Square Garden.  This is important 5th Line; the pregame will start at 4:30 PM and puck drop will be at 5:00 PM.  We'll see how lines shift and this team responds then.  I can't imagen them letting a 3-1 lead slip, at home, against a rival team will sit well, just a hunch.  

Also, I will post any updates about Justin Danforth's injury the moment I see them.  As of now it's simply an upper body injury he could no longer play with tonight.  Wishing him all the best.  

Go CBJ!