Columbus Blue Jackets @ Washington Capitals: 1/8/23 Game Recap

Tonight would be lighter on goals, especially compared to last night. Through 2 periods of play, only one goal would be scored. This goal would come from Washington Capitals E. Gustafsson at 2:43 into Period 1. Aside from a few fantastic stops by Elvis Merzlikins, the most significant moment in these two periods was Gavin Bayreuther's minor and major penalties for fighting a Capitals player! Beyond this, it would be a lot of great Defense and even better goaltending on both ends of the ice.  

Going into Period 3, the Blue Jackets would need just 1 goal to tie this game. The Defense and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins had done fantastic to this point (which would continue), but the offense needed to create chances. The Blue Jackets would finally get a Powerplay early into this period, but the score wouldn't change. Another opportunity would come later in the period, and this second Powerplay attempt would end the same. The team pushed, but Darcy Kemper would come through for the Capitals; tonight's final in Washington, D.C., would be Capitals 1, Blue Jackets 0.  

Even with tonight's loss being a Shutout, this was one of the best Defensive appearances I've seen this season from our Columbus Blue Jackets. Think about it, tonight we faced a returning Tom Wilson and the second leading goal scorer of all time (Alex Ovechkin), and they won with a single goal on a bad bounce Merzzlikins couldn't stop. Considering how down this team has been at points this season, tonight was very impressive, especially for how many men we still have out on IR.       

The next game for our Columbus Blue Jackets will be on Tuesday, January 10th.  The team travels to Florida and will face the Tampa Bay Lightning.  The puck drop is set for 7:00 PM.  I can't wait to see this team, which I feel is starting to come together, face a skilled team like the Lightning.  This will, without a doubt, be a great night of hockey ahead.    

Go CBJ!    

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