New York Islanders @ Columbus Blue Jackets: 4/17/25

And so it comes to an end: The season that started as a nightmare ends in a way we could've only dreamed. Yes, I know we're not chasing a Stanley Cup in 2025, but for how this season began...this season shouldn't have ended like this. I'm optimistic, even in light of injuries, pain, and loss, and even I wouldn't have thought that we'd battle the Montreal Canadians for the final Eastern Wild Card spot at game 82 this season. I sure as hell wouldn't have predicted some of the numbers our Blue Jackets put up this season either. I am so proud of this team and where they're going. So, for the final time this 2024-25 NHL Season, let's write Chapter 82 in the books at home in Nationwide Arena against the New York Islanders.   

With Jet Greaves in net to close out what has been a thrilling two weeks for the young goaltender, the puck would drop on the final game of the season. I'm not going to lie, some good shots were made, but there wasn't much cookin' in period one for either team, 5th Line, but that would all change in period two. If you wanted to hear the cannon boom in Nationwide Arena, and if you're reading this, I'd have to hope you did, your dreams were met when the puck dropped on the second twenty tonight. First up, Cole Sillinger, who came away with a goal of his own at 2:21! The back-and-forth trick shot on this goal was sweet, and I encourage you to go look it up. Dante Fabro would advance the Jackets to a 2-0 lead with goal nine of his season at 7:43! Jordan Harris would have the only assist on this goal, giving him four this season. Dimitri Voronkov would get in on the scoring, taking the Jackets to a 3-0 lead at 10:09, and this marks goal twenty-three of his season! Zach Werenski would add his team-leading fifty-ninth assist on this goal, while Cole Sillinger would lock down another multipoint game with the secondary, giving him twenty-two assists this season. Sean Kuraly would then send home his sixth goal this season at 15:14, advancing the home team's lead to 4-0! Justin Danforth would add himself to the growing score sheet with assist twelve of his season, while Erik Gudbranson would add his fourth on the secondary. Then, the points leader himself, Zach Werenski, would continue to take the Goals in a Season for a Defenseman Record, higher with his twenty-third of the season at 17:27! This would also ensure him another multi-point game this season. Sean Monahan would add his thirty-eighth assist this season on the primary assist, while Kirill Marchenko would add the secondary assist, his forty-third this season. So, in the matter of twenty minutes, the score would go from 0-0 to 5-0 in favor of the home team! This is the first time the Blue Jackets have had a five-goal second period in seven years. What a moment. 

H. Fasching would play spoiler for Jet Greaves' shutout hopes at 14:48, scoring goal two of his season. The only assist would become number ten for C, Cizlakas. The good news is that the Blue Jackets still held a four-goal lead, even with this goal. Then, Adam Fantilli would add goal thirty-one of his season at 18:37, establishing that five-goal lead! James van Rymsdyk would have the only assist on this final goal of the season, his twentieth this season. The Blue Jackets set out with one goal that never wavered after August 29th, 2024, and that was to make the late Johnny Gaudreau and this fan base proud. They accepted the heartache, but also turned it into purpose. They've accomplished all of that and more in my blurry eyes. And, if I'm being honest, I think that Johnny would've been more impressed with every Blue Jacket shaking Mike Martin of the New York Islanders' hand and wishing him a happy retirement than the win. 

The Third Star of the Game went to Sean Monahan with a 0-1-1 night. 

The Second Star of the Game went to Zach Werenski with a 1-1-2 night. 

The First Star of the Game went to Jet Greaves, who finished with a .973 save percentage, stopping 36/37 Islanders shots on his net. 

For how misterible and heartbreaking this season began, this team chose to rise up and do it for #13, taking him with them everywhere they went. Even if his stall is used by another player next year, I know that the Jackets will keep a piece of Johnny in that locker room, if nowhere else than in their hearts as they play. And, Johnny will always be watching over this team and all its fans as his memorial banner rests high in the rafters at Nationwide Arena forever.         

With a 26-10-5 home record, 57 points in Nationwide Arena, that matches their best home record in the history of the Blue Jackets. There is so much to be proud of this season, and I'll dive deeper into all of that in a post next week because it will take me that long to write it, which is the best feeling ever! Adam Fantilli, Sean Kurally, Mathieu Oliver, and Ivan Provorov all had an 82-game season. Zach Werenski shattered so many records that he will get his own personal blog later! Honestly, if I'm ever asked why this team was special and successful, I'll say this: It's because they had to be more than a team, they had to be a family, because if they weren't, they never would've turned this season's sorrow into purpose. Early on, a loss so great was felt by them all, and together they held each other up and pushed each other forward to be their best for one singular reason: Johnny 'Hockey' Gaudreau. His memory will carry on through his wife, kids, family, friends, and teammates. I know I keep circling back to Johnny, but this team has made the point that this season was for him, and I think he would be damn proud of how it ended. We were out of the playoffs, it was over., and yet we came away with a 6-1 win tonight in the last chapter of the season. That's the heart and Drive Johnny was known for, and why his coming to Columbus was so special in the first place. To me, making this season special in the wake of his loss was the best way to honor the special player he was for coming here to Columbus in the first place. So, with a 4-33-9 season in the books, I don't think there's much left to say other than this: This was all for you, Johnny.

GO CBJ!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Yes, that's 13!)