Columbus Blue Jackets @ Toronto Maple Leafs: 2/11/23 Game Recap

After a 2-0 lead was set in stone by the Maple Leafs, with a goal from N. Nylander at 2:39 and a goal from M. Bunting at 10:40 tonight in Toronto, many of us likely had some PTSD from last night. For those who need a reminder, the Maple Leafs held a 1-0 lead in Period 1 and eventually shut us out 3-0 in our own arena. The story tonight wouldn't end this way, however.

At 4:21, Captain Boone Jenner would get the Blue Jackets on the board and give Kirill Marchenko his first NHL Assist! For those keeping count, this is Jenner's fifteenth goal of this NHL Season, too. Kirill Marchenko would then flip the script, scoring a goal of his own at 15:01. Captain Boone Jenner would have his thirteenth assist on this goal, while Johnny Gaudreau would take the secondary assist. Not only does this take his assist total to thirty-six this season, but it also puts him at an even fifty points this season! Less than a minute later, Sean Kuraly would join the double-digit goal club this season. Number ten for him came at 15:58 and gave Kent Johnson his fifteenth assist this season, while Mathieu Olivier would add his sixth with the secondary assist. This would give the Blue Jackets a 3-2 lead going into Period 3!

With just 1:20 into Period 3, Maple Leafs would get a goal from M. Rielly. However, this 3-3 tie wouldn't last long, as Kent Johnson would become the third Blue Jackets player tonight with a multipoint night. His eleventh goal of the season would come at 5:46, giving Cole Sillinger his sixth assist this season and Jack Roslovic his twenty-fourth. The Blue Jackets would fight the Maple Leafs to the last seconds, but tonight they would pull off the WIN! 

It's a huge road win and two points tonight for the Blue Jackets. The best part might be that this win belongs to Elvis Merzlikins alone, as he held the net for his team all game. Tonight, Merzlikins was shot on forty times and stopped 37 total. Also, Captain Boone Jenner 1-1-2, Kirill Marchenko 1-1-2, and Kent Johnson 1-1-2 all had a multipoint evening. This season hasn't been easy to watch, listen to, or recap. However, on nights like this, it's easy to see this team of young players transforming into young stars; it's so exciting. 

First Star of the Game- Captain Boone Jenner

Second Star of the Game- Kent Johnson

Third Star of the Game- Kirill Marchenko

Our next game will be on Tuesday, February 14th, at Nationwide Arena. You can't blame me if you forgot about Valentine's Day because I'm reminding you right now! Funny enough, the New Jersey Devils will be here for that game too. The puck drop is set for 7:30 PM, and we'll see if the Blue Jackets can convert this road win into another special game!  

Go CBJ!  





     

   

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