The CBJ Writer

After a narrow loss last night, I expected the Islanders to come out ready for a win. On the flip side, after a dominant 6-1 win over the Maple Leafs Monday night, I expected the same from the Blue Jackets, especially when playing at home in Nationwide Arena. My expectations were met! Both Elvis Merzlikins and Semyon Varlamov had some incredible saves throughout the game. The teams played a clean game with no penalties until midway through the second period. Of course, that penalty was against the Blue Jackets, but the penalty kill did their job and prevented an Islanders goal. An almost goal was scored in the second period too, by Damon Severson, but it was called back due to goaltender interference because of James van Riemsdyk sliding into the goalie's blue paint. Stunningly, through two periods of hockey, this game was still tied at 0-0, but period three would change all of that, and in the Jackets' favor, too! At 5:43, Damon Severson would get his goal back from period two...

The last time we saw the Blue Jackets it was in Music City. The Nashville Predators took the Columbus Blue Jackets to overtime and quickly stole the second point up for grabs with a 4-3 win. So, naturally, the Blue Jackets weren't thrilled about only gaining one point in that game and came to play this evening stronger than the last, and boy did they! Period one would be a goalscoring party for the home team! Sean Monahan would get the party started early on the first powerplay of the evening, scoring just 2:18 into the first period. This was his fourth goal in eight games. Kirill Marchenko would have the primary assist on this goal, his sixth already this season, and Zach Werenski wouldn't be far behind, picking up his fifth assist with the secondary assist on this opening goal. The Edmonton Oilers would also lose their Captain, Conner McDavid, early into this period. Later on, it'd be announced he'd be out for the full game. I sincerely hope he's alright and wish ...

The first period would be full of great saves by Daniil Tarasov and seven shots by the Blue Jackets, all of which were stopped by the home team's goalie, Scott Wedgewood. The predators would have six shots of their own, but as you probably expected by my complement to Tarasov, none of those shots would make it past him. After a scoreless first period, though, that'd all change in the second! At 3:53, Kirill Marchenko would be the first player to score this evening with his fourth goal of the young season. Adam Fantilli and Jack Johnson would each gain their first assists of the season on this goal as well. A few minutes later, at 6:42, Zach Aston-Reese would tack on goal two of the evening with his second goal of the season. In addition, Mathieu Oliver would continue his scoring ways with his second assist this season. Unfortunately, the Predators would get back one of those two goals before the period would end. Of course, they're not just going to stop fighting for the wi...

My recap tonight will be short. My readers know I only recap what I watch or hear myself, and with the transition to Fanduell Sports Network not going smoothly, I missed periods 1 and 2 this evening. The third period is where I'll pick up, but don't worry, there's still plenty of excitement to recap! A third goal this season would come at 11:58 for Kirill Marchenko. Alternate Captain, Sean Monahan, would have his fourth assist on this goal and Cole Sillinger would have his third this season.  This would take the Blue Jackets to an unbelievable 6-1 lead. Now, I'm a heavy optimist for this team, but containing the Toronto Maple Leafs to the extent they did this evening, especially with players like Auston Mathews and William Nylander, is no small accomplishment! Now, the Leafs would get a goal back at 13:03 thanks to N. Robertson. It's goal one of his season. The assists would go to J, Tavares, and S. Benoit. The Blue Jackets would put up a brick wall after this and c...

 Though periods one and two only one goal scored would count. That loan goal would come from M. Rossi at 12:40. The two assists on this goal would go to Y. Trenin and M. Foligno. This would be M. Rossi's second goal this season while both men with assists would have their first this season. It would appear in period two that the Wild had extended their lead to two goals, but the Blue Jackets would challenge for goaltender interference against Daniil Tarasov and win. So, that goal would be wiped from the board. Unfortunately, even though the Blue Jackets looked more cohesive this period, they wouldn't score and the Wild would take that one-goal lead into the final period of regulation.  In that final period of regulation, the Wild would find their grove as one of their star players would capitalize on a five-on-three powerplay opportunity. K. Kaprizov would add his second goal of the season to the scoresheet at 2:52. B. Fabar would add his third assist this season on this goal ...

The festivities that would normally kick off the NHL Regular Season took place tonight in Nationwide Arena. What the team planned for opening night to honor Johnny Gaudreau and Mathew Gaudreau was beautiful, and I would've changed a thing. I plan to do a post on that evening soon. That all said, even though tonight was a celebration for the team, a few moments still stood out as emotional to me. First, it's amazing to see Justin Danforth back on the ice where he belongs after a long wrist recovery that included surgery. On the flip side, it was rough to see our Captain, Boone Jenner, walk out in a sling after having shoulder surgery last week. In addition to him, we're also without Erik Gudbranson and Elvis Merzlikins due to injuries as well. We also have no updates on Dmitri Voronkov who was injured in the preseason. With all those injuries ups and downs, the moment that brought me to tears was seeing Sean Monahan, a dear friend of the passed away Johnny Gaudreau, come out...

Tonight was a big night for the Blue Jackets. Not only would they go into the second game of their season looking for their first win, but two men would be celebrating birthdays tonight, too! Happy 20th birthday to number 19, Adam Fantilli, and happy 30th birthday to number 23, Sean Monahan! The visiting team would start the game off with a bang, scoring the first goal at 6:38! Defenseman Zach Werenski would have his second goal in as many games while Yegor Chinakov would have his second assist this season and Sean Monahan would start off his birthday game with his first assist as a Blue Jacket. Just over a minute later, Kent Johnson would score at 7:45. The loan assist on this goal would go to Jake Christiansen, his first assist of the young season. The 2-0 Blue Jackets lead would hold till the final seconds of the first period, but, alas, you wouldn't be wise to ever count the Avalanche out, especially N. MacKinnon. His goal would come at 19:52 and give the Avalanche their first ...