Colorado Avalanche @ Columbus Blue Jackets: 4/1/24 Game Recap

It may be April Fools' Day, but it's no joke that the Blue Jackets want to follow up their shootout win over their NHL Rival Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday with another win tonight. That would be a massive challenge as the Colorado Avalanche are poised for a long run in the 2024 NHL Playoffs. Period one would end with the same 0-0 score as it began, but then, period two would produce some Blue Jackets goal magic, like we've dreamed of all season 5th Line. 

The first goal of tonight's game in period two would make a second twenty-plus goal season for Kirill Marchanko. On his twentieth goal this season at 9:35, Erik Gudbranson continues to rack up assists with sixteen while Johnny Gaudreau remains dominant in this category with forty-five! This was just the beginning, as Alex Nylander would pop in his ninth goal since joining the Blue Jackets less than a month ago. Rookie Dmitri Voronkov adds his fifteenth assist this season on this Nylander goal, while Ivan Proverov adds his twenty-sixth. Seeing the Blue Jackets with a 2-0 lead against such a talented team was exciting, but a second goal from Alex Nylander at 18:03, giving his home team a 3-0 lead, would seal this period as one of the best in his career, and one of the team's best this season. On Nylander's second goal this period, the primary assist would be number nine for Jake Bean, while the secondary assist would be number two tonight for Erik Gudbranson and his seventeenth this season. As I told my best friend at the end of this period, the Blue Jackets are doing great but can't take their figurative foot off the gas. The Colorado Avalanche are not so easily defeated; they've won a cup this decade and know how to come back and win games when down goals. 

The Avalanche would prevent a shutout with a goal from Chris Wagner, his first goal this season, but that would be the only goal for the visitors tonight. Cole Sillinger would solidify the 4-1 win with an empty net goal at the end of the period; this gives him thirteen this season. In addition, Kirill Marchenko would pick up the only assist on that empty net goal, giving him a 1-1-2 evening. This is also his seventeenth assist this season.

It was a monumental night for several Blue Jackets, but none more so than Daniil Tarasov. The man was a brick wall all night, allowing the Avalanche just one goal. Let that sink in: A team that came to Columbus 46-21-6 tonight lost 4-1 with forty-seven shots in this game. Those numbers gave him a .979%, and he was the First Star of tonight's game—no surprise there. The Second Star tonight was also no surprise; Alex Nylander, with a 2-0-2 evening, and the Third Star tonight, with a 0-2-2 night, was Erik Gudbranson. 

I pride myself on being honest with my readers; even I didn't see this win coming. That said, I'm so proud of my team. I won't jinx it, let's just look forward to Thursday as another competitive team comes to town! The New York Islanders will be looking for points and confidence in Columbus with a puck drop at 7:00 p.m. I can't wait! 

GO CBJ! 





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