Tampa Bay Lighning @ Columbus Blue Jackets 2022-23: Game 2 Recap

Alright 5th Line, you came out in full force to welcome the team back and the final score tonight takes nothing away from Columbus being our home.  Losses happen, so let's recap this one so I can give my constructive thoughts, and we can look for to the Blues tomorrow night in St. Louis.

Period 1 was an incredible showing for the Blue Jackets.  Johnny Gaudreau would make emends with the cannon as he'd score the first goal of the season in Nationwide Arena!  This goal would come at 2:21 and have a primary assist from Justin Danforth and a secondary assist for Captain Boone Jenner.  C. Perry would then score at 14:08 for the Lightning.  Quickly after, S. Stamkos would add another, making it 2-1 Lighning.  This would come at 15:21. Seconds later at 15:58 would come a goal from Gus Nyquist!  Kent Johnson would get his first primary assist of the year, while Erik Gudbranson would get his first secondary assist as a Blue Jacket.  Unfortunately, at 18:55, R. Colton would add another for the Lightning, making it a 3-2 Lightning lead after 1 period.  

A 1 goal deficit wouldn't have been a tall order to overcome, but when the Lightning added strong defense with another in the second period by C. Foote, before S. Stamkos would add a 5th goal in the third period, that tall order grew to a challenge this team just couldn't achieve tonight.  The final was a 5-2 Lighning win.  This does give the Blue Jackets a 0-2-0 start on the season, a season which is still young.  

Okay, now time for some hard facts.  Normally I don't do this too often but there was something that went against this team tonight, which needs to be fixed.  2 of those 5 goals were caused by a puck hitting the skate of a Blue Jacket defenseman, before it popped into the net.  Small things can have huge consequences and if you deduct those 2 goals, it's a 3-2 game, one which might have been less daunting to overcome.  I don't know exactly what way I would change things up going forward tomorrow night in St. Louis, but Nick Blankenburg needs to come off the "Healthy Scratch" list tomorrow evening.  He's great at blocking shots and can score, both of which this team needs, especially against a St. Louis team who has their home opener and first game of the season tomorrow.  Yes, we've played two games, they've played none.  It could help us or hurt us.  Personally, if Elvis Merzlikins can go in tomorrow evening, I think having him fresh (even after an illness) could benefit us.  

With that all being said, many of you like that I'm realistic, but try and find the good in a loss.  In 39 shots on his net, Daniil Tarasov did deny 34 of those.  Considering he was set to be the backup and was next man up before the season even began, I think he's doing alright.  This is especially true when you consider he played a couple preseason games and this is his second game back post hip surgery.  Credit where it's due folks.  

Beyond this, Johnny Gaudreau's first goal was sweet.  First Blue Jacket assist for Erik Gudbranson.  Justin Danforth, Captain Boone Jenner and Kent Johnson add assist points too.  I know it's not the 1st win of the season on opening night, but we didn't get shutout, so remember that and how we still have 80 games left.  

Game 3 is tomorrow night at the St. Louis Blues.  This game with have an 8:00 PM puck drop.  If there are any updates between now and then I'll post them to my social media pages, or if it's big enough news there will be a blog.  

Until then 5th Line: Go CBJ!