Columbus Blue Jackets @ Pittsburgh Penguins: 3/28/24 Game Recap

No matter the location, Pittsburgh or Columbus, a matchup between the Penguins and Blue Jackets is always one for the books. This week we add two more entries into the book of this heated rivalry, and the last two of the 2023-24 NHL Season. The proof this is always a serious game? Period one would end as it began with a tie...0-0! Yes, it's true; the goaltending and defense were so impressive in this period for both teams that neither offense could break through. That would change greatly in period two, though. 

If anything has been reliable this road trip, it's the Blue Jackets scoring first, and tonight, it would be Mathieu Oliver. With his goal at 5:29, he's now found the back of an NHL Net four times. The primary assist is Damon Severson, while the secondary assist is number sixteen for Cole Sillinger. Of course, the Penguins would push back, and after giving them a chance on the powerplay, Evgeni Malkin would score at 9:50, giving him an even twenty goals this season. At 13:11, the Blue Jackets would top the Penguins again with goal number twelve from Cole Sillinger this season. This would give him a multipoint night with 1-1-2! Alexander Texier would add his fifteenth assist this season with the primary, and Ivan Peroverov hits a high twenty-five with the secondary. The 2-1 lead would again be short-lived as another penalty would give the Penguins a powerplay advantage, and it wouldn't take them long to cash in. Worse, the same player who got them their first goal would also net their second, Evgeni Malkin, at 16:11. This gives him twenty-one goals this season. So, with two goals for each team in the second and no goals for either team in the first, this game would remain tied after forty minutes of play. Would it be decided in period three? 

The Penguins would take an early lead and their first at 0:35. This goal would be at even strength and number twelve this season for Drew O'Connor. This would end up being the final goal of the game, and the Blue Jackets lost 3-2. They will have a chance for redemption on Saturday at home. The puck drops against the Penguins for the final time this season at 7:00 p.m. 

Go CBJ!   





    

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What the Ranger's Elimination From the 2024 NHL Playoffs Means for the Columbus Blue Jackets Acquired 2026 Draft Pick

It's been an interesting 2024 NHL Playoffs already. This was captivating by watching the divide among the 5th Line fans who chose to watch the playoffs and cheer on former Blue Jackets. As the Eastern Conference Final was set, we saw Sergei Bobrovsky on one end of the ice as a Florida Panther. On the other end of the ice, representing the New York Rangers, stood three former Jackets, Artemi Panarin, Alexander Wennberg, and Jack Roslovic. Due to the final player I listed with the New York Rangers end of the ice, this playoff series had implications for the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Trade the organization did, sending Jack Roslovic to the New York Rangers, was for a conditional Fourth Round Draft Pick in the future 2026 NHL Draft. The condition to this pick was that if the Rangers advanced all the way to the Stanley Cup Final 2024, the Draft pick would increase to the third round. With the Florida Panthers eliminating the New York Rangers tonight in Game 6 (the final was 2-1), The B
Read more

Brenden Gaunce, Nick Blankenburg, and Jake Bean Sign NHL Deals Away From Columbus Blue Jackets

The 2024 Trade Deadline gives and takes away every season. Today, the Columbus Blue Jackets signed Sean Monahan to a deal that will last five years and give him a 5.5 Million AAV. This was the brighter side of the day as several Columbus Blue Jackets and Cleveland Monsters players signed elsewhere, including a favorite of mine.  The 30-year-old Center, Brenden Gaunce, left us to join the Minnesota Wild. He agreed to a deal that will go through the 2025-26 NHL Season. He was in Columbus last season for 24 games and had 4 points with an even 2 goals and 2 assists. I have yet to see what his contract is valued at, but nevertheless, I wish him good luck with the Wild.  Jake Bean had the 5th Line divided. Some saw value in him staying, while others wanted him traded months ago. He wasn't traded today but signed to become a Calgary Flame. This contract will take him through the 2025-26 NHL Season like Brenden Gaunce. It'll pay him roughly 1.75 million each season. Appearing in 72 gam
Read more

Rest in Peace, Johnny and Mathew Gaudreau- Part One

I've learned something over the roughly two and a half weeks since we lost Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Mathew; I will never be ready to write this blog. I've been avoiding this because my words seem hollow and empty to me; like anything I could say would be redundant and not enough. August 29th, 2024 will forever be burned into my brain alongside July 4th, 2021, the date we lost goaltender, Matiss Kivlenieks, in a firework accident when he used himself to shield others. To say this franchise and its fans have suffered too many tragedies since I started covering the team in May 2020 is an understatement. When we lost 'Kivi' I never imagined doing this again, but I am, and I won't lie to you because I never have; I hate that I have to do this again. My heart is shattered, especially for the Gaudreau family, and I don't think I'll ever find all the pieces. The hockey community will forever be changed by this tragedy. None of us want to accept that this nig
Read more