The Columbus Blue Jackets did not deserve their win against the Boston Bruins, they were outshot, they were outplayed, and honestly, they just did not look like a team that could play with them.
None of it mattered. Which is what makes hockey all the better. It all counts the same in the win column, and it won't matter to the Blue Jackets when they look back on this season.
Here are five thoughts from the Blue Jackets 5-4 overtime win over the Bruins.
Being Happy For Ryan Murray
There isn't a player on the Blue Jackets that I'd like to see succeed more than Ryan Murray. The defenseman who was drafted second overall back in 2012 has caught flack for his injury history and his inability to leave a lasting mark on a game. There have always been flashes, his passing when at it's best is a sight to see, but it was never able to shine with any consistency.
That is why it makes his two-point night against the Bruins all the more special. After missing a lot of games this season, this felt like a game that Murray needed to have. Not just for his status on the depth chart, but also for his confidence.
Murray truly threads the needle here. Wowza. If he didn't make that play it would have been an odd-man rush the other way.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/p6lw60Gxt7
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 20, 2018
Ryan Murray with the smooth slap-pass and Sonny Milano puts a stick on it to get the Blue Jackets within one.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/Uf303viFSd
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 20, 2018
His slap-pass to Sonny Milano was perfect, and his pass to Cam Atkinson on the game-winner was otherworldly. Murray doesn't want to leave this lineup; if he even gets close to games like this on a consistent basis, he won't have much to worry about.
Thomas Vanek Is Something Else
The goal for adding Thomas Vanek was that he would pitch in a few points here and there. At some point, he would help out with a difference-making goal, and it would make the deadline trade well worth it. After settling in, Vanek has been so much more. He has rejuvenated players that for most of the season had no offense to speak of. Vanek is a point whisperer, and he has awakened Alexander Wennberg and Boone Jenner.
Thomas Vanek with a filthy tip for his 20th of the season and we have a tie game in Boston. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/8UCptOTjzn
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 20, 2018
Vanek had one goal and one assist on the evening; both plays were high skill level plays that not many players on the Blue Jackets could make. His ability to think the game is still at a level that puts him with some of the best in the league. Vanek is a crucial part of this team, and he has played less than a dozen games with the club.
Surviving Without The Engine(s)
Both goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and defenseman Seth Jones didn't play against the Bruins. It was an unusual move considering Jones is day-to-day, and Bobrovsky has been on a roll as of late. The two players turn the Blue Jackets into another team after all.
Defeating a weakened Bruins team without them is important. The team's depth will be tested down the stretch, and this game shows that the team can win when they don't have a full squad.
Who Is This Boone Jenner We're Seeing?
Forward Boone Jenner is on a four-game goal scoring streak and a six-game point scoring streak. He is playing his best hockey of the season and possibly his best hockey of his career. He has newfound linemates to thank for it.
Jenner is on fire. It helps that Vanek is too. What a pass.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/ldi6ggx77I
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 19, 2018
Jenner's tenacious play has led to goals, and he finally has offensive players that can feed him the puck. With one goal and one assist, Jenner is showing that staying the course and allowing regression to go in a favorable direction isn't a foolproof plan but it can work if you give it a chance.
Finding A Way To Win
Winning the Corsi battle is good. Winning the shot battle is good. Winning the hit battle is good. Winning the face-off battle is good. All of it has it's varying levels of importance, but at the end of the day, the only number that matters is the win in the win column. The Blue Jackets have had days where they have played better than their opponent and have lost. In this case, they played poorly against the Boston Bruins and came out with a win.
Nick Foligno just sent Brad Marchand into another dimension.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/aeihOgL4TJ
— SB (@Sam_Blazer) March 20, 2018
It didn't matter how it had to happen, the Blue Jackets needed to win and were scratching and clawing their way into the game. Even getting the game into overtime seemed like a minor miracle. The Blue Jackets will want to play better down the stretch and into the playoffs, but having one game like this won't hurt the team.
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