Columbus Blue Jackets @ Vegas Golden Knights: 2024-25 NHL Season Game 51

Before I begin tonight's blog I want to express my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in last night's plane crash. My heart certainly goes out to all their friends and family but as a spectator at the 2023 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships that took place in the Columbus Blue Jackets home arena (Nationwide Arena), my heart breaks for the figure skating community and the young lives lost. May they all Rest in Peace. 

First, it was great to see Cole Sillinger enter the game tonight after a bruised hand caused him to miss the last three games. Welcome back, #4. In addition, congratulations to Kirill Marchenko (Marchenk-Goal as I like to call him) as he takes the NHL ice for the 100th time tonight. It's also very exciting to see Captain Boone Jenner on this road trip as he moves closer to an NHL return post shoulder surgery last year. So, many team wins before we even take the ice tonight in Vegas and I'm thrilled to share them with you, 5th Line. 

As for tonight's hockey game, it's always a fun time when this team travels to Vegas, especially when Elvis is in our net! Early into period one, T. Hertl would pop his twentieth goal of the season past Elvis Merzlikins and give his home team a 1-0 lead. The primary assist on this goal would become number twelve for P. Dorofeyev and the secondary would become number four for N. Hague. But, have no fear, just when it looked as if the Knights would have the lead going into period two, Adam Fantilli continues his goal gettin' ways! With his fifteenth goal this season he would nudge the puck past the Knights goalie, I. Samsonov, for a goal all his own at 18:24. No other goals would come in the final moments of this period and it would be a 1-1 tie after twenty minutes of play in Vegas. 

The second period was a stalemate of the highest excitement level. The forwards were shooting, the defense was defending, and the goalies were saving. Honestly, these teams were putting on a show in Vegas for those who paid admission tonight and it would remain 1-1 as we enter the final regulation period. 

Period three would be very similar to period two, you could cut the tension with a hockey skate. After a statement like this, and given our history with the subject, I'm sure none of you will be surprised when I say that time did expire in period three with the game knotted at 1-1. So, over time here we come as we fight for the second point up for grabs!

With a breakaway, Kent Johnson would floor it, pass it to Zach Werenski, and he'd pass it to Cole Sillinger for an epic overtime-winning goa at 00:52! This would be the eighth goal this season for #4 in his first game back since that bruised hand three games before this one. Zach Werenski adds his thirty-ninth assist this season with the primary while Kent Johnson who started this game-winning goal adds assist number eighteen on the secondary! 

Elvis Merzzlikins would add another win to his record in Vegas. He would claim the Third Star of the Game tonight as he finishes with a .962. He accomplished this after his 25 saves on the 26 Vegas Golden Knights' shots on his net. 

Cole Sillinger, with his 1-0-1 overtime-winning goal, secures the First Star of the Game, proving that he hasn't missed a beat while out injured for a few games. I am so happy for him and this whole team that continues to show they deserve to be in every conversation as we strive for bonus hockey this season!  

With this win the Jackets reclaim that coveted 2nd Wild Card spot. They accomplish this by reaching 57 points so far this season on their 25th overall win. (25-19-7)

Tomorrow night will be a first-of-its-kind trip for the Blue Jackets as they travel from Vegas to Salt Lake City. It will be their first time playing against the Utah Hockey Club and I cannot wait for puck drop at 9:00 p.m. 

CO CBJ!