Columbus Blue Jackets @ New Jersey Devils: 12/27/23 Game Recap

 I hope you all had a lovely Christmas. It's been three days, and the Blue Jackets are back on the ice and on the road in New Jersey. Period one would be a fairly even fight. At 6:39, the first goal would come from the Blue Jackets' own Jake Bean. This is his second goal of the season and would result in an early lead for the visiting Columbus team. This goal would add a second assist to Brenden Gaunce's assist total this season and number six to Alexander Texier's. As I said, this was a reasonably even period, and the Devils would make it 1-1 thanks to Ondrej Palat at 9:55. Again, it was an even first period, and it would come to an end with that 1-1 score. 

Period two would have a big plus and a scary minus for the Blue Jackets. First, at 8:28, the Blue Jackets would regain their lead thanks to Justin Danforth's ninth goal this season. David Jiricek gains his eighth assist, while Adam Fantilli gains number twelve. Unfortunately, for this team, there is rarely any joy without pain. Tonight, that pain came in the form of a buckling knee that was turned the wrong way. The collision with a Devils player would do just this to Zach Werenski, and not long after, in the second intermission, we'd find out that Werenski wouldn't retake the ice tonight. So, it would be a 2-1 lead for the Blue Jackets with twenty minutes to play, but a hill to climb with just a one-goal lead and one less defenseman. 

This would be a big period of back-and-forth until another goal would come for the Devils at 15:51, thanks to Dawson Mercer. The tie would then be broken at 17:34, as Yegor Chinakov would steal a puck and pop in his tenth goal this season, clearing his way into double digits! Sadly, the Devils would return again, and Luke Hugges at 18:35. And, just like that...it's overtime again!

After trading shots for over two minutes in bonus hockey, the winning goal would come for the Devils at 2:12. It would be scored by Timo Meier. So, the Blue Jackets pack a point, but I'm sure they wanted two. Still, a point is a point. 

Our next game is set for December 29th as the Maple Leafs return to town at 7:00 p.m. We'll hope for a good update on Zach Werenski before them. I wish him the best and the team a safe trip home. 

Go CBJ! 




 


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