Of all the Blue Jackets-Rangers games we've seen in recent years, this was probably the least confrontational.
It's early in the season and things aren't totally ramped up yet. But both teams are grappling for points and position in a wicked-tough division, so there was plenty of pace and push on both sides. These are two teams that like to get up and skate, after all.
Sergei Bobrovsky is off his rocker right now. He's pulling the Blue Jackets through their rough stretches and backing them up when they forge ahead. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner made 37 saves and was credited by his coach and teammates for standing tall when they were fighting it.
For you non-math folks out there, that's 103 saves on 105 shots in his first three starts.
"Bob gives us a chance," said head coach John Tortorella. "That game could be out of sight before the third period starts if we don't have the goaltending we had tonight."
Finish Strong
Tortorella thought the Blue Jackets chased the game for 40 minutes. They didn't have any rhythm offensively and couldn't finish a chance. They were fortunate to be in a 1-1 going into the third period and took advantage of the situation. They had 10 high-danger scoring chances in the third period (H/T Jeremy Crowe) and controlled the game.
"Our first two periods, we were chasing the game," Tortorella said. "I thought they were quicker. Third period, I thought we played one of the best periods of the short season."
GAME BREAKER
It's been a patient wait by Tortorella while his top players try to get going. Like most of the Blue Jackets, the No. 1 line was quiet through two periods but they geared up in the third. Panarin's goal was an example of the individual skill the Blue Jackets have been excited about since they brought him to Columbus: a quick transition, late in the shift, stepping across the blue line and getting into a shooting position. The quick, low shot surprised Lundqvist and stood as the game-winner.
"I fought like hell to keep (the top line) together in my mind," Tortorella admitted post-game. "In the third period, they played really well...that's a dynamic play. It's something out of nothing. Huge goal for us."
Power Outage
What was a strength (and savior) for the Blue Jackets early last season has failed them early in 2017-18. They were 0-for-3 tonight and the beat goes on for both units; the No. 1 unit has been guilty of over-passing and trying to open seams, but Panarin has been well-defended by the opposition.
Seth Jones: Redemption
Jones' turnover in the first period was not his best moment. Tortorella said he was "brutal" for most of the game, but because of Bobrovsky, the Blue Jackets were able to stay in the game and caught a break on Jones' tying goal. Jones collected the puck at the right point, sailed a wrist shot toward the Rangers net and the puck caught a piece of Mika Zibanejad on the way through, fooling Lundqvist and pulling Columbus into a 1-1 tie. On a night when he didn't play his best, Jones was still able to impact the game and it turned out to be a huge goal.
Bob
What more can you say? Bobrovsky is playing as well as we've seen him in some time. Tonight's win improves his record to 3-0-0 on the season with a 0.65 goals against average and .981 save percentage. When Bobrovsky is doing what he's doing right now, the Blue Jackets' margin for error is expansive.
Follow 1st Ohio BatteryFacebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube
