The Columbus Blue Jackets took a trip up to Canada, on Friday night, for the last time this year when they took on the Winnipeg Jets for the second time this season.
After a previous 3-0 victory back in November, the Jackets were looking to sweep the season series. They fell just short of that goal as they went down 4-3 in overtime.
Tough Return
The Blue Jackets have faced Winnipeg since the January 2020 trade that brought Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic to Columbus and sent Pierre-Luc Dubois to Winnipeg. However, Laine had yet to square off against his old team and was no doubt a little curious as to what kind of reception he would face. He, Roslovic, and Pascal Vincent ended up receiving a hearty welcome complete with a tribute video and a nice ovation.
Welcome back to Winnipeg Patrik Laine, Jack Roslovic, and Pascal Vincent!#GoJetGo | #CBJvsWPG pic.twitter.com/tMtzNEsF9v
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) March 26, 2022
Unfortunately, that greeting was the extent of the good news for Laine in his return. Not only did his team ultimately fall short in overtime, but he also failed to register a point for the second game in a row, after having posted six in his previous four games. He wasn't without his chances, as he had seven shots including four on goal, but in the end, he wasn't able to finish.
Elvis Struggles Early
Whether he came back from his injury a little too soon, or it was just one of those nights, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins struggled mightily to start off the game, giving up two goals in the first four shots he faced. Even with Columbus outshooting Winnipeg 14-4 in the first period, they still found themselves down 2-1 going into the second, thanks in large part to Merzlikins' struggles in the net during the first period.
The Blue Jackets netminder did eventually settle in, stopping 26 of the final 28 shots in regulation, before letting up the game winning goal in overtime. Overall he saved 29 of 33 shots for a .879 save percentage.
Last Minute Magic... Kind Of
Once again Columbus found itself battling from behind to try and pull off the comeback win. They went down 2-0 in the first period, but Adam Boqvist drilled a laser of a shot only 30 seconds after Winnipeg notched their second goal. Then Brendan Gaunce started off the second period by potting his fourth goal of the season to tie it up at 2-2.
Fast forward to just over a minute left in regulation and the Blue Jackets yet again pull their goaltender in a last-ditch effort to tie the game. It appeared to be all over when Winnipeg's Blake Wheeler scored an empty-netter, but the goal was taken away when defenseman Josh Morrissey was controversially called for slashing against Sean Kuraly, buying Columbus a desperately needed second chance. With just 14 seconds left, Oliver Bjorkstrand capitalized on that chance by evening the score on a rebound off of a Zach Werenski shot.
Sadly, even though the Jackets pulled off a minor miracle to send the game to overtime, they only made it 21 seconds into the extra period before Nikolaj Ehlers put it past Merzlikins on breakaway, thus ending Columbus' hope of another spectacular come-from-behind victory.
Next Up:
The Blue Jackets finish up their road trip at the Minnesota Wild on Saturday Night. Puck drop is at 8 p.m. EST
