The Panthers struck just 18 seconds into the first after a shot from Yandle was tipped out front by Dadonov and found its way past Merzlikins. Making it a tough start for the Jackets, who have struggled on the road of late. Then with five minutes left in the first, Foligno and Brown dropped the gloves after Brown took exception to a clean hit by Foligno.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUE JACKETS | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| PANTHERS | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
In the second, Merzlikins - who only saw three shots in the first - stepped up big for the Jackets by denying three solid chances for the Panthers in the first five minutes of the period. Barkov sent a cross-ice pass to Brown who put the puck between the legs of a sliding Merzlikins.
In the third, despite strong play from the Jackets, it is the Panthers who convert on the power play off another point shot from Yandle that was deflected out front. With nine minutes left, it was the unlikely Gavrikov who finally solved Bobrovsky thanks to a screen out front by Anderson. with 2 minutes left and an empty net for the Jackets, Hoffman flipped the puck over Savard and into the net to seal the game.
Injury Update
Emil Bemstrom was knocked out of tonight's game late in the second period with an upper body injury.
Zach Werenski was recently placed on retroactive IR, but Markus Nutivaara is practicing and could find his way back on the ice for the Jackets soon.
Next Up
The Blue Jackets head to D.C. next to take on Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals - currently on a six-game winning-streak - on Monday.
