St. Louis Blues @ Columbus Blue Jackets: 2024-25 NHL Preseason Game 2

The 6-1 loss in the Columbus Blue Jackets' first preseason game this year stung a bit. The game was a challenge because we only had seven regular players in our lineup whereas the Buffalo Sabers came out guns blazing in preparation to start their regular season on the world stage in Germany. Tonight, the tables turned as a heavier veteran presence was on the ice for the first home preseason game. Elvis Merzlikins was in the net and before him stood Sean Kuraly, Kent Johnson, Yegor Chinakov, Kirill Marchenko, Erik Gudbranson, Ivan Provorov, and even newcomer James Van Riemsdyk. The balance tonight was far better between rookies and veterans and that translated to the ice flawlessly. We got to see a focused Elvis Merzlikins for the first two periods of play where he finished with a perfect 1.00 save percentage. The Blues sent 19 shots his way and he stopped them all. But, of course, that's only half of the game. You can't just rely on defense and goalkeeping, your forwards have to score as well, and score they did. 

In period 1, the Blue Jackets would score their first goal at 13:59. After ringing one of the post, Denton Mateychuk would find success at the back of the Blues net. This is his first goal of the preseason. The primary assist would go to Kent Johnson who has matured in his game post-injury and offseason so much. The secondary assist would go to Sean Kuraly, and we all know how good number 7 is. This goal would be the only of this opening period, giving the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead. 

Period 2 would be another single-goal period. That goal would come towards the end of the period, at 15:59, from Kirill Marchenko (Marchenk-GOAL if you want to be technical, and we will be!) This is also his first preseason goal. Sean Kuraly would have the primary assist, his second of the night, and if you're surprised then you're just not paying attention to number 7. The secondary assist would go to Ivan Provorov. It's a great moment for him because he took a puck to the knee in period 1. So, to remain on the bench through that and have an assist the next period shows this defenseman's grit, and why I refused the idea of trading him this offseason. After 40 minutes, the Blue Jackets would have a decent two-goal lead. 

As I said in my intro, Elvis Merzlikins would have a solid 40 minutes in the net, and this would yield a chance for his backup to have their own 20 minutes to prove themselves. His backup tonight would be Zach Sawchenko, and he also has a perfect 1.00 save percentage! He would ultimately stop 12 Blues shots on net. Even better, Kent Johnson, who looked up to Johnny Gaudreau (may he rest in peace) had an empty net goal at 19:17. This gives him a 1-1-2 night. Your final tonight is a Blue Jackets Shutout, 3-0! The Blue Jackets wouldn't score on their 2 chances on the powerplay, but they did keep the Blues from scoring on their 6 chances, so I'll take that all day. Of course, the powerplay needs to score in the regular and with any hope, the postseason, but in a win, I won't pick at it too much. Also, this is not a full squad. 

First Star: Elvis Merzlikins. 

Second Star: Denton Mateychuk.  

Third Start: Kent Johnson.

All in all, this was a great night. The third preseason game this season will be in just a couple days and in Washington D.C. and we all know how fun of a matchup it is when the Capitals and Blue Jackets get together. That game will start at 7:00 p.m. and I could be busy that evening. If I'm not and have time to catch the full game, I will post a recap. If I don't, there is another game the day after, against the Buffalo Sabers at 7:00 p.m. 

Go CBJ!