That was a lot of fun.
Big saves late, a couple of key plays by struggling players, and a well-coached overtime led to a Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 overtime win.
Here are three things from a two-point night at Nationwide Arena:
MAXIMUM DOMI
Thursday's inexcusable overtime loss to the Florida Panthers did give us something good: Max Domi's first multi-point game as a Columbus Blue Jacket. His second multi-point game came in Saturday's game. Jack Roslovic and Emil Bemstrom assisted on Domi's 5th goal of the season, one that gave the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead in the first period. His 2nd point came when he picked up an assist on a Cam Atkinson goal that looked like a routine save, but, a goal is a goal an assist is an assist. His efforts earned him the First Star of the game; the first time Domi has been the top star as a Blue Jacket.
YOU LOVE TO SEE IT. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/IcuEhScjti
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 13, 2021
The Blue Jackets have struggled for many reasons this season, but Domi's struggles have certainly been one of them. To be clear, that's not entirely on Domi. He's been paired with just about everyone on the team, hasn't been given a chance to develop proper chemistry, and has played all three forward positions.
ELVIS DESERVED THAT ONE
Yeah, he gave up three goals. Make no mistake about it, though: Elvis Merzlikins was a large part of the reason for Columbus' victory. Timely saves late in the third - including multiple saves in the final minute - helped get the Blue Jackets to overtime. More key saves in overtime led to Zach Werenski's game-winner in the final seconds before it went to a shootout. He also found a way to use his head in a way that you don't typically see:
We all love the headbutt save, don't we folks? #CBJ pic.twitter.com/IJIE1nRjS1
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 13, 2021
Joonas Korpisalo will probably get the Sunday start to avoid three games in four nights for Merzlikins, but Elvis continues to prove that he's got plenty of clutch in his game.
BEST OVERTIME OF THE SEASON
Of the many head-scratching decisions by head coach John Tortorella, few have been questioned as much as his decision of who sees ice time in the extra period. From the benching of Patrik Laine in Thursday's loss to the Panthers to Nick Foligno seeing the ice instead of more skilled players, overtime has been a headache almost all season - and the Blue Jackets 1-6 record in the 4th period entering today reflect just that.
Laine was out to start overtime though, and looked almost a little too eager on his first shift. Domi, Roslovic, Atkinson, and Oliver Bjorkstrand were among the forwards on the ice for nearly all 4:56 of overtime, and the defenseman was a rotation of Seth Jones and Zach Werenski. Sure enough, Werenski flicked in the game winner with Bjorkstrand and Atkinson on the ice with him.
