Pittsburgh Penguins @ Columbus Blue Jackets: 3/30/24 Game Recap

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, it's always a game when the Penguins and Blue Jackets meet. Tonight's first period was a solid back-and-forth, but roughly seven minutes into the first period, the Blue Jackets would go on the defensive as the Penguins would get their first powerplay. We've only had a few short-handed goals this season, so they're meant to be celebrated when they happen, so cheers to Mathieu Oliver, who scored at 7:47. On Oliver's fifth goal this season, Cole Sillinger also picks up a sixteenth assist this season! The Penguins were convinced and challenged this goal for goaltender interference, but they would lose this challenge. On the powerplay, as a result, the Blue Jackets wouldn't score, but Elvis Merzlikins and the Blue Jackets would ensure the Penguins wouldn't score this period either. 

The 1-0 home lead would slip away after a thirteenth goal this season from Penguins' Drew O'Conner at 13:29. Then, the hopes of a tie going into period three would be dashed at 18:55 after a twenty-fourth goal this season by Bryan Rust. So, the Penguins would have a one-goal lead ahead of the final twenty minutes of regulation tonight. 

The Penguins added another goal thanks to Rickard Rakell's twelfth goal this season at 8:59. But, 5th Line, have no fear—Kirill Marchenko is here with his nineteenth goal this season! At 9:08, this goal would also give Damon Severson his seventeenth assist this season and Zach Werenski his forty-first. Then, Zach Werenski would create a brand new game with his seventh goal this season at 11:47, making it a 3-3 game! This would give Johnny Gaudreau his forty-fourth assist this season, and the arena goes wild! This volume of 'CBJ' would roll right into overtime! This means we get a point against the Penguins and the chance to take a second! 

An eventful overtime would occur, but nothing would come from it other than some incredible shot attempts for both the visiting Penguins and the home Blue Jackets. In round two of the shootout, Alexander Texier and Sidney Crosby would both score. It would take until round five for another goal, and it would be Damon Severson! The Penguins wouldn't answer, and this game ended with a 4-3 shoutout WIN for the home team! So, the Blue Jackets have the final say in this four-game series with the win in the last. 

Damon Severson wins the Second Star of tonight's game, and Zach Werenski takes the First Star! 

Side note, so happy the team pulled out a huge win against an equally huge rival the night they honored Jeff Rimmer. I wish him the absolute best in his retirement, but am also happy it isn't quite time to say goodbye just yet. 

Our next game will be another in Nationwide Arena, but it will not be easy as the Colorado Avalanche come to Columbus. It is Monday, and the puck drops 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