Well, the Blue Jackets' playoff hopes may be washed...but who says they can't have a little fun down the stretch?
There are countless reasons why games like this aren't much fun to play. Not much is on the line. They've seen three beloved teammates depart in the last three days. And all that separates them from the offseason (and a reprieve from this COVID-affected season) is a few short weeks.
But still, there was a lot of fight in the Blue Jackets tonight. Give 'em credit.
Here are tonight's three things from Nationwide Arena.
WELCOME BACK, PATTY
It's been a while since we've seen some Patrik Laine magic.
These games hold little weight given the circumstances, but goodness, was it fun to watch Laine play tonight. He scored his second and third goals in two games, and both of his goals tonight were special in their own way.
The first was a wicked shot through traffic, set up by his new buddy/linemate Max Domi, that Blackhawks goaltender Kevin Lankinen wouldn't have stopped if he saw it coming two seconds earlier. It was just a flat-out missile.
This is Patrik! pic.twitter.com/661C6Z1XZz
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) April 13, 2021
Oh, and the second.
This belongs in a museum...unless you're Calvin de Haan.
Folks, this is a Goal of the Year candidate from Patrik Laine. Sheesh! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/Jvlj36Va90
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) April 13, 2021
And the perfect pass to Laine wasn't the only highlight provided by Domi tonight.
ENTER MAD MAX
Domi's had his ups and downs this season, and it felt like he was perpetually trying to find his footing. Once he found it, though, maybe he could get his game in order. Lately he's been quick, noticeable, and (added to the list tonight) quite feisty.
Don't tell Domi that he was taking on Dublin's native son, Connor Murphy–even though Murphy wasn't expecting the confrontation. Domi earned two minutes for hooking, another two minutes for cross-checking, and a 10-minute misconduct. All penalties were well-earned, and Domi's teammates got him off the hook by killing four minutes of Blackhawks power play time.
Asked about it post-game, Domi didn't hold back in his assessment of Murphy's unwillingness to drop the gloves and answer for what Domi perceived to be an elbow.
"It's embarrassing if I'm him (Murphy), for sure," Domi said.
And, as seen, above, the pass to Laine was a dart. The kind of connection you're hoping to see between two good players, perhaps who could play together in the future.
"He's a big part of our team. In order for us to have success, we need Patty going. He was one of the best players on the ice tonight," Domi said.
WEIRD GAME, WEIRD FEELING
Well, that was awkward.
For the first time in five-plus years, the Blue Jackets come out on the other side of the trade deadline with nothing (in the big picture) to play for.
It's sure to be a slow slog to the end of the schedule from this point on, but games like tonight remind you that they're not all clunkers–and some can even be quite palatable. Seeing Laine awaken, Domi show some fight, and a generally entertaining game can make this rarified air a little more breathable for Blue Jackets fans.
