Columbus Blue Jackets forward Jack Roslovic only skated 14:26 in Sunday night's 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins but had an eventful night, having a direct impact on three goals for the five goals scored in the game.
The good news is that he was the catalyst on both goals scored by the Blue Jackets.
The bad news is that he was partially at fault for the controversial late goal scored by Sidney Crosby.
Roslovic's Assist
On the Blue Jackets first goal, Roslovic skated the puck through the neutral zone, then kept the puck in at the blueline on a failed clearing attempt by Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin.
After a shot by Jakub Voracek missed the net, Roslovic, who was playing in his 100th game with the Blue Jackets, was first on the spot to retrieve the loose puck. A second later, he found Oliver Bjorkstrand on the weak side of the ice with a royal road pass. Bjorkstrand wired home a one-timer for the game's first goal.
Oliver Bjorkstrand opens up in the slot and tucks home the tremendous feed from Jack Roslovic to strike first for Columbus!#CBJ pic.twitter.com/XSSicS6BkA
— Hockey Daily 365 (@HockeyDaily365) February 27, 2022
Roslovic's Goal
Similar to the first goal, Roslovic was able to hold in a clearing attempt by Dumoulin, this time on a rimmed puck. After turning the puck over, Dumoulin gives Roslovic sufficient space and fires a beautiful shot over the shoulder of Casey DeSmith
Jack Roslovic grabs Pittsburgh's failed clear and snipes home an unbelievable top-shelf wrister to put Columbus ahead in the 2nd!#CBJ pic.twitter.com/ExGccDUo2T
— Hockey Daily 365 (@HockeyDaily365) February 28, 2022
Crosby's Goal
Crosby's late goal wasn't without controversy. The explanation given by the officials after confirming good goal was different from the explanation given by the league after the game. But, unfortunately, the goal stands, and it's at least partially because of a great hockey play by Crosby and a mistake by Roslovic.
When the puck goes from below the goal line to the point, Roslovic tries to keep Crosby pinned along the boards. But Crosby spins out of contact, and gets the inside route to the net. When the shot comes, Crosby, not Roslovic, has inside leverage, and the Penguins' captain is able to outmuscle him at the point of attack.
SID! Sidney Crosby grinds in front and slides home the loose puck after a scramble in the crease to give Pittsburgh the late lead!#LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/0ofvAUDrUB
— Hockey Daily 365 (@HockeyDaily365) February 28, 2022
Roslovic is hardly the first player victimized by Crosby's combination of strength and smarts, but it's still a mistake. On the night, Roslovic was opportunistic, as his goals for percentage was 66.66% (2 GF/1GA), whereas, at 5v5, his 30% CF% (6 shots for, 14 shots against) was second-lowest on the team.
In a way, Roslovic's night mirrored the Blue Jackets season. Some definite positives to take away, but the margin for error is razor thin, and the timely mistakes sometimes outweigh the positives.
