The Columbus Blue Jackets had close to a week to dwell on their blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Lighting. Whatever changes they discussed clearly worked, as their display against the Philadelphia Flyers showed that the Tampa result is firmly in the rearview mirror, putting up six goals in tonight's victory.
Here are tonight's Three Things.
What's Going On With Sergei Bobrovsky?
Despite giving up eight goals in Tampa, Sergei Bobrovsky received a vote of confidence from John Tortorella, as he was given the start – and a chance at redemption. He didn't play great, but picked up the win in a game that may have brought up more questions than answers.
Entering this game, Bobrovsky had owned his former team with a .933 save percentage in 14 games. His save percentage wasn’t terrible at .914 tonight but Bob still does not look like his usual self. The second goal he allowed was extremely soft.
[90's sitcom voice] Who are you, and what have you done with Bob? #CBJ pic.twitter.com/mEoJhCmwXp
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 19, 2018
It didn’t cost them tonight but the Jackets need to get Bob right ASAP – because that is not the kind of goal Bobrovsky should be allowing.
Hands, Hands & More Hands
Oh baby, the puck handling skills were on display.
The Blue Jackets could run a clinic and just show highlights from this game. The Anthony Duclair goal is an early contender for goal of the year, and then Cam Atkinson followed it up with an impressive goal of his own.
One of those rare instances where the sequel is better than the original.
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 19, 2018
Cam Atkinson is having a night, folks. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/v6GE7rdwsl
To have the skill to do this is impressive enough, let alone at high speed that close to the goalie. The awareness these players have is remarkable; just when you think they are out of options, they pull off moves like that.
Speed is the name of the game in the NHL today, but making plays at top-speed is what separates and elevates players like Atkinson.
Don’t Forget About Sonny
Sonny Milano doesn't always see consistent ice time, but his skill certainly makes him one of the best puck-handlers in the NHL, as he might have some of the best hands pure hands in the league.
He hasn’t been able to translate it into much on-ice success this year, but he’s coming along, and tonight’s game was his best of the season. When Milano was on the ice, he was in the middle of the play. Tonight alone, he drew two penalties while he had the puck on his stick, and to top his night off, he scored an impressive goal late in the game.
Crazy good effort here from Oliver Bjorkstrand to set up Sonny Milano's bank-shot goal. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/ohHp4Cv2CM
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 19, 2018
His play has warranted more ice time, and hopefully we see it start trending up in these next few games.
