After two porous games against the Detroit Red Wings, the Columbus Blue Jackets bounced back in a big way by downing the Tampa Bay Lightning, 3-1. An empty-net goal from Cam Atkinson put the exclamation point on the game.
Here are your three things from the Blue Jackets' win:
Hooray?
Depending on how you view this season for the Blue Jackets, what the team did tonight was either a good thing or a bad thing. You enjoy the win because it keeps the team in contention or you are hoping for a loss so that they solidify themselves as sellers at the deadline.
The Danish Dynamo with the redirect! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/HqcA9INkhY
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 31, 2021
With the Blue Jackets winning this game, it once again puts the Blue Jackets in a difficult spot. The win against the former Stanley Cup champions is a good sign. In fact, if the team swept the Red Wings over the weekend, it would have been a sign that this team is heading in the right direction. But now this win muddies the waters and puts them in an odd position again. Another win against the Lightning could swing the pendulum back in the direction of a contender.
Breaking a Drought
David Savard has not had the year that he envisioned for himself when the season started. Now surrounded by rumors of a trade, Savard may be playing his last games with the team. Despite all of that, Savard scored his first goal in quite some time. It came off the rush with a slick pass from Alexandre Texier.
SAVARD BREAKS HIS DROUGHT! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/9QARXjHipW
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 31, 2021
Savard may not be on this team past this season but he did what he does best, he showed up against the Tampa Bay Lightning. A surprising tradition unlike any other.
Elvis in the Building
For large portions of the season, it didn't matter whether or not the Blue Jackets played well offensively or defensively, the goalies were only average at best. When they needed a save they couldn't get it. When the offense was there, it eventually turned into a shootout.
Although not a shutout, Elvis Merzlikins played an absolutely masterful game for Columbus. With a .974 save percentage and 37 of 38 shots saved, it doesn't get much better. The team needs to decide moving forward who they want in net. Elvis just staked a claim for himself tonight.
