In what was indisputably the biggest game of the season the Jackets made a statement.
They didn’t just beat the Panthers, they beat them for their 10th win in a row. When the games have got the toughest the Blue Jackets have refused to lose. It’s impressive enough for a team to win double-digit games, let alone doing it down the stretch in the middle of the playoff race. The Jackets have played their best hockey when they have absolutely needed to.
Here are five thoughts from the win:
Dat Second Period
The second period has been a sore spot for the Jackets this season. No matter how well they started a game, everything always seemed to go wrong in the second. Tonight they reversed those fortunes and owned the middle frame. Florida came out fast in physical in the first. The Jackets did that in the second. They scored three goals in the period, had a 53.85% Corsi, and outshot the Panther 11-5 in the frame.
Yes he Cam
Atkinson has really flown under the radar it seems these past few weeks. All the attention since the trade deadline has been on the new acquisitions, and when the focus wasn’t on them it was one of the stars, whether that be Artemi Panarin or Seth Jones. Atkinson has quietly been really really good. In 13 games since the trade deadline he has seven goals and seven assists. He’s second on the team in scoring over that time frame, behind only Panarin.
These kids are alright
Sonny Milano (21) has provided some solid scoring depth on the third line. He scored against the Bruins and added another one tonight. He led all Jackets in shots with six. Pierre-Luc Dubois (19), had three assists. Ryan Murray (24) and Markus Nutivaara (23) finished as the best two defencemen in Corsi at 55.56% and 54.84% respectively. Boone Jenner (24) had four shots and led the team with five danger chances at 5-on-5 (Vanek was the only other player to have more than one). The kids stepped up in this playoff-type game which was great to see.
Jones Returns
Any mention of the Jackets young players has to include Jones and his defensive partner Zach Werenski. It hard to believe with how big of a role he has and how successful he is in it, that Jones is only 23 years old. He was back after missing the prior three games. Surprisingly the Jackets didn’t miss a beat without Jones and kept right on winning. It was good to have him back however and he showed why in that second period.
Goodness, Seth Jones. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/7QLYd4TTCW
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 23, 2018
BOBROVSKY!!!!!
I’d be remised if I didn’t mention the spectacular play of Sergei Bobrovsky. Bob was absolutely fantastic when he needed to be. He stopped all 33 shots for his fifth shutout of the season. He was dialed in stopping a flurry of chances short-handed. He was the Jackets best player tonight.
All hail Sergei Bobrovsky. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/S52OX1zfJ5
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 23, 2018
