It looked like this was going to get out of hand in a hurry.
Going for their third straight win, the Columbus Blue Jackets were in Los Angeles to battle the Kings from Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night.
It's the first of three straight in California as Saturday was the first of a back-to-back. They'll face the Ducks in Anaheim on Sunday night.
Though this game was closer than things initially appeared, Dustin Brown and Phillip Danault's first period goals were the difference. Jonathan Quick made 21 saves in the 2-1 win.
Sean Kuraly scored for the Blue Jackets. Elvis Merzlikins was in net for his 11th straight start, stopping 36 shots.
Rookie Encore
With the Blue Jackets officially eliminated from playoff contention after the Washington Capitals defeated the Montreal Canadiens earlier in the day, 8-4, it's a great time to see next year's talent on display now.
That means the second career games, respectively, for Kent Johnson and Nick Blankenburg. There were no points for either but they both continue to look the part in the early going of their NHL careers.
Kent Johnson, you can already tell, feels the game so well. Some nice moves on his first shift to create space in the offensive zone. #CBJ
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) April 17, 2022
Nick Blankenburg with good play to break a pass up. Puck hits Alex Edler up high. #CBJ
— Mark Scheig (@markscheig) April 17, 2022
For the game, Johnson played 10:33. Blankenburg played 15:33, registering two blocked shots, one shot on goal, and four hits. He took his first career penalty in the second period.
Kuraly Returns
The Blue Jackets added physicality and energy into their Saturday night lineup. They also added offense.
After missing the last two games due to COVID protocol, Kuraly was cleared to return.
In the game, he returned to the scoresheet just 53 seconds into the second period with his 13th goal of the season. The scoring play was of a local hometown flavor as Carson Meyer assisted on the play, and Gus Nyquist also picked up a point.
Kuraly from Meyer and Gus. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/dodNKS6QQ6
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) April 17, 2022
In addition to the goal, he had a game-high five hits to go with a blocked shot.
How This Went
Fighting for their first playoff spot since 2017-18, the Kings came into play coming off a 9-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. They came in losers in four of five.
Looking to jump on them early, the Blue Jackets trailed early.
Just 1:41 into the game, confusion in Columbus' own end between Patrik Laine and Jake Bean occurred, resulting in the two getting crossed up, and the Kings quickly converting on a 2-on-1 the other way.
.@DustinBrown23 rewarding the fans who arrived on time. #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/wFxvfFn1b7
— LA Kings (@LAKings) April 17, 2022
Nick Blankenburg was the lone Blue Jacket back but unable to recover in time to make a defensive play and Dustin Brown ripped his ninth for the goal—on the first Kings shot of the game—and the fifth-fastest tally of his career. Blake Lizotte picked up the lone assist.
At 7:02, the Kings came strong and scored on a quick three-man attack with Danault getting his 24th (Viktor Arvidsson, Trevor Moore). Moore passed to Arvidsson, who in turn passed back to Danault for the goal. Merzlikins didn't have much of a chance.
That's 24 goals for #24, Phillip Danault! #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/4q0HFj537c
— LA Kings (@LAKings) April 17, 2022
If the Jackets were going to win, it would extend their franchise-best 22 come from behind wins this season.
Kuraly knew what the team needed to do.
Sean Kuraly wants to see the @BlueJacketsNHL tighten things up and play smarter in the second period.#CBJ | @DMaetzMedia pic.twitter.com/FuyR0sCRA0
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) April 17, 2022
He, of course, took matters into his own hands in the second period. First with a goal and then getting into some of the rough stuff.
As a team, the Kings had 26 blocked shots while Columbus had 10. Merzlikins was strong in net but just didn't have enough help offensively to churn out a better result.
Quack, Quack
The Blue Jackets battle the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night from Honda Center at 8:30 pm ET. Columbus lost to the Ducks, 2-1, in a shootout on Dec. 9.
