Columbus Blue Jackets @ New Jersey Devils: 4/6/23

The New Jersey Devils are another team already destined for the NHL Playoffs. That said, the opportunity to play most of those 1st Round Games on home ice is still up for grabs, which is valuable. The Devils are number 2 in the Metropolitan Division, but the Rangers are just 3 points behind them. So, the battle for points is still real, and that showed tonight. A player sidenote, Johnny Gaudreau, would leave this period and be ruled out later in Period 2. The organization cited "illness" as the reason for this. Whatever is going around that locker room is not doing us any favors, that's for sure. 

When Period 1 ended, the Devils could've been up 2-0 over our Blue Jackets. However, we won a challenge on the first goal scored, and it was removed from the scoreboard. This period's only goal would come at 11:35 and belong to J. Hughes, and his Devils would take that 1-0 lead into Period 2.  

This second period tonight would be riddled with goals, but most wouldn't be ours. That said, the one which was outs was a moment in itself for a new Blue jacket. However, before that could happen, the Devils would go up 3-0 with a goal from T. Tatar at 1:20 and another goal from J. Hughes at 2:20. At 11:32, though, that magic moment would come for Joona Luoto of the Blue Jackets, as he'd score his first goal with the team! It's also exciting to note that this is also his first NHL point; even though he played over 20 games with the Jets last season, he didn't score in any of them. So, this is a huge night for him; congratulations. However, the 3-1 Devils lead would expand by another goal, with a goal from 16:16 by T. Meier. So, a 4-1 goal lead as we charge into Period 3. 

The Devils' spark would continue as they scored a fifth goal on Michael Hutchinson. The goal would come from E. Haula at 2:07, and Jon Gillies would be sent in by the Blue Jackets staff to hold our net for the remainder of the game. Tough break for Hutchinson. The goaltender swap wouldn't stop the Devils' goal landslide, though. Not long after E. Haula's goal, his teammate T. Meier would find the net again at 4:40. The pain would continue as the Devils would score again at 6:35, thanks to D. Severson. With a 7-1 Devils lead, the Blue Jackets were hemorrhaging goals and still had over half a period of play remaining. Case and point, R. Graves would make this an 8-1 lead at 9:27. Not long after, Billy Sweezey would take on two Devils players at once (Tatar and Hischier.) Sweezy and Hischier would have offsetting penalties at 2 minutes each when the dust settled. Thankfully, the 8-1 score would be the final of this beatdown tonight in New Jersey.  

It hurts, but the Devils are about as good this season as we are not. I'm just being honest here. All I can say is good luck to whoever faces them in the Playoffs! 

Our next game will be on April 8th. This game will be at home against the New York Rangers; it's the 5th Line Appreciation Night, and I WILL be there with you! So, my recap will likely be a bit late that night, but I will try to have it done Saturday evening. 

Go CBJ!