The Columbus Blue Jackets began the 2022-23 season on the road on Wednesday night as they took on the Carolina Hurricanes. The Jackets were looking to get off to a fast start with their new-look offense led by six-time All-Star Johnny Gaudreau making his debut for Columbus.
The Blue Jackets started out strong but were unable to come up with the win as they fell 4-1.
Let's take a look at the biggest storylines of the night.
Quiet First
The Blue Jackets were unable to score in their first period of the season, but they also kept the puck from slipping into their own net as well. They did manage to keep pace as they tied the Hurricanes in shots on goal. Even with the small sample size, the Blue Jackets' defense did look improved in the first as they held a high-powered Carolina to ten shots, all of which were classified by MoneyPuck as low-danger shots. They were more physical than they had been for much of last year, leading the Hurricanes 13-9 in hits and 8-4 in blocked shots.
Many were hoping to see Gaudreau and company light up the scoreboard from the get-go, but the consolation prize of solid defense was nothing to sniff at.
Unfortunately, the solid defensive effort did not continue as they gave up a total of 43 shots and four goals in this game.
Laine Does It Again
As quiet as the first period was, the second started out with a bang as Patrik Laine found the back of the net just 11 seconds into the period. Zach Werenski secured his first assist on the season with this one.
The team has high hopes for Laine to get back to scoring 40+ goals a season. Last year he showed flashes that led everyone to believe that he could still be that guy. Such as his 11-game point streak, in which he had 13 goals. He had gotten off to a good start as it took him just over one period to notch his first goal on the season.
Patrik Laine scores the @BlueJacketsNHL's first goal of the season just 11 seconds into the second period!
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) October 13, 2022
1-0 #CBJ pic.twitter.com/g2y6ASmeh6
As good as the night began for Laine, it ended badly as he went down with an upper-body injury a few minutes later. The Blue Jackets had him in for X-rays before the end of the period, and he was unable to return to the game.
Tarasov's Strong Start
Daniil Tarasov was announced as the starter earlier in the day on Wednesday, in a surprise move as it was also announced that Elvis Merzlikins fell ill and was unable to make the start.
Tarasov kept his unfortunate streak alive as he is now 0-3 as a starter and has yet to win an NHL game. He did, however, put up a solid stat line, yet again, as he saved 39 shots and had a .907 SV%
Next Up
The Columbus Blue Jackets will face the Tampa Bay Lightning in their home opener on Friday night. The puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET at Nationwide Arena.
