Three Things: Jake Christiansen's 1st Career Tally, Boone's Day, Next Man Up

By Will Chase on March 1, 2022 at 5:34 pm
Columbus Blue Jackets' Jake Christiansen celebrates his first career goal against the New Jersey Devils at Nationwide Arena.
Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
1 Comment

Starting the month off right.

The Columbus Blue Jackets met the New Jersey Devils for their fourth and final meeting this season. They came in 2-1-0 against their Metropolitan Division rivals.

Patrik Laine had a goal and assist and Jake Voracek had two assists. The Blue Jackets also had goals from Oliver Bjorkstrand, Boone Jenner, and Jake Christiansen scored his first career goal as the Blue Jackets won 4-3.

Elvis Merzlikins made his second consecutive start. He made 30 saves on 33 shots. Nico Daws made his second start in as many days for the Devils following Monday's 7-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Daws made 27 saves on 31 shots.

Tale Of Two Periods 

The Blue Jackets had the benefit of a day off whereas the Devils played on Monday night. The difference is, the Devils looked like the rested team in the first half of the first period. 

Nico Hischier converted 54 seconds into the game on a quick power play opportunity for the Devils. Damon Severson and Nathan Bastian assisted. New Jersey outshot Columbus 11-3 nearly halfway into the period.

Boone Jenner missed high on a first period breakaway chance coming off a blue line steal of Yegor Sharangovich.

Then, we had a brand new game!

Jake Christiansen's first career goal at 13:08 tied the game at one. Max Domi's 16th assist was his 300th career point. Cole Sillinger also had his 10th helper. Christiansen is the sixth different Blue Jacket to score his first career goal in 2021-22.

Boone's Day

What else can you say?

Another game, another big goal from the captain.

Jenner's 23rd, and eighth on the power play, gave the Blue Jackets an early 3-1 lead 46 seconds into the second period. Voracek earned his second assist and Patrik Laine grabbed an assist, in addition to a goal, breaking a two-game pointless drought. That’s Laine’s 30th goal as a Blue Jacket in 80 games with the club. 

Back to Jenner. 

While he's not a point-per-game player, it feels like he is with the rate at which he's putting up points. He's leading the way at 0.80 points-per-game for the Blue Jackets and looks primed to set a new career mark in goals (30 – 2015-16).

Another D-man Injury

With word that Adam Boqvist would miss Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury, it was another blow for a team that went 0-2 since losing Zach Werenski to an injury. Jake Bean is still out which tests the Blue Jackets' defense further. Then Brendan Gaunce left the game with an upper-body injury.

That's why some key stats for the Blue Jackets really stuck out from this matchup:

  • 10 first period blocked shots, 24 for the game. Columbus averages 13.48 (15th) a game. New Jersey had six.
  • 30 hits to the Devils' five. Columbus averages 18.35 a game in that category which ranks 29th in the league.
  • Nine takeaways to New Jersey's one.
  • Blue Jackets' penalty kill 1-for-4, Power play 1-for-3.
  • Sean Kuraly and Andrew Peeke had six hits and four blocked shots each respectively.

Vladislav Gavrikov and Peeke didn't have their best games. Both were -2 and Gavrikov had three minor penalties.

King's Ransom

The Blue Jackets face the Los Angeles Kings in the first of a home back-to-back on Friday at Nationwide Arena at 7:00 pm ET. It'll be the first matchup against the Kings in 2021-22. 

1 Comment

Werenski Caps Off Career Night With Overtime Winner As Blue Jackets Outlast Bolts 7-6

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) looks on against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Nationwide Arena.

Game Day #19: Kent Johnson Returns To The Lineup As Blue Jackets Host The Tampa Bay Lightning

Game #19: Kent Johnson is back in the lineup and the Blue Jackets are back on home ice as Columbus welcomes the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night.
View 1 Comments