Philidelphia Flyers @ Columbus Blue Jackets: 2022-23 NHL Season Game 13 Recap

And we're back at it after Finland 5th Line!  Now, I know we left there 0-2-0, however there were some sparks of good, which the Blue Jackets built on tonight.  It was a special night as the Flyers brought former Columbus Head Coach John Tortorella as their own.  Add in a dash of former player Cam Atkinson and you have a stacked Thursday night of hockey folks, let's recap this!

Period 1 was glorious for the Blue Jackets.  Early on Johnny "Hockey" Gaudreau would make that cannon his friend with goal sixth this season, just 3:53 into the game.  There would be one loan assist on this, granted to Zach Werenski, he's now up to 5 this season.  After this Werenski decided he wanted his third goal goal of the season too, this would come at 12:03.  This goal would also have only one assist, funny enough to Gaudreau.  So, a little Period 1 scoring flip-flop if you will.  With a solid and respectful fight for Oliver and even one for Blankenburg (defending himself, the net and Korpisalo) this period had all the sparks you've been missing 5th Line.  2-0 after 20 minutes.   

One trying note before we move forward.  Werenski would leave this period after that assist and goal, due to a smash into the boards.  He remained out for the rest of this game.  

Period 2 would see the teams trade goals.  First, Captain Boone Jenner would put the Blue Jackets up 3-0.  This would happen just 0:37 into this period, giving him number three so far this season.  Patrik Laine would get the primary assist, marking number two for him.  Gaudreau would take his second assist of this game, sending him up to six this season.  13:04 DeAngelo would put the Flyers and Tortorella on the board.  3-1 Blue Jackets lead after 40.

Another trying note.  Between Periods 2 and 3, we would learn that Erik Gudbranson would also be ruled out, likely due to the slice on his nose in this second period.  As if an NHL game wasn't rough with just 5 defensemen, the Blue Jackets would then face Period 3 with just 4. 

In Period 3, the Flyers would get within one goal, with a shot from L. Provoro at 8:41.  After this 5th Line, it was all Red, White and Blue gravy.  At 18:21, Nick Blankenburg would get his second goal of the season, finding the empty net, taking the team up 4-2.  The finisher would be a Captain Jenner goal at 1942.  No assists on either goal.  The final would be a 5-2 BLUE JACKERS WIN!  

Tonight, Zach Werenski, Johnny Gaudreau and Captain Boone Jenner would all have multi-point nights.  Joonas Korpisalo would have his first home game this season and would stay in net all game.  In the end he would stop 27 of 29 shots put on his net.  Korpisalo would earn the Second Star of the game, while Nick Blankenburg would take the Third Star and Captain Boone Jenner would snatch Star One.   

The defense, let's highlight them tonight because man, they earned it.  Period 1 started with 6 D-Line players, Period 2 they had 5 for a while, then Period 3 the Blue Jackets would make it happen with just 4.  Those four being Blankenburg, Bean, Gavrikhov and Peeke.  Stunning, just topnotch work by those four men.   

All around, just a huge night and win for this team.  Not only does it feel better to be 4-9-0, but the moral boost this win will provide is invaluable.  Incredible night, cheers to all.  

With that being said, Gavrikhov took a knee to his knee at the end of Period 3, while Werenski (to me) had his shoulder to straight into the boards and Erik Gudbranson had a cut on his face.  It's hard to say what updates will come regarding these injuries and if recalls will be made from the AHL Cleveland Monsters.  Keep an eye on my social media pages, once I see updates I'll repost or share them there.  

Game 14 of this season will be against the New York Islanders in New York.  Puck drop is set for November 12th at 7:30 PM.  

Until then 5th Line,

GO CBJ!