The potential for the first win was snatched away in 20 seconds.
The Columbus Blue Jackets were back on the road in St. Louis for their third game in four nights, and completing the second of a back-to-back, following Friday night's loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
It was the same lineup for Brad Larsen's team from the night before, though different lines, and with Elvis Merzlikins in between the pipes to make his season debut. He made 20 saves. St. Louis played their first game of the season with Jordan Binnington in the net, making 23 saves in the 5-2 win.
Playing From Behind
Well, the Blue Jackets ideally like to start fast and score early and often.
They did that on opening night against the Carolina Hurricanes when Patrik Laine scored the first goal of the game 11 seconds into the second period. Then Johnny Gaudreau scored the first goal of the game 2:21 into Friday's home opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning. However entering play on Saturday night, the Blue Jackets were 0-2-0 when scoring first, as they couldn't hold the early lead in either game.
With the Blues amped up in front of their home crowd for the first time this season, everyone knew it was going to be a tough game, and the Blue Jackets knew they had to be better than they've shown so far this season.
Instead, the Blue Jackets were forced to play from behind from the start of Saturday's contest after Pavel Buchnevich's power play goal (Torey Krug assist) gave the Blues the early lead at 5:05. It didn't take long for that power play to convert as Cole Sillinger was sent to the box for holding at 4:47 just prior to the tally.
Offensive Rejuvenation
If there should be one strength for the Blue Jackets this season, it's the offensive firepower they boast all over the ice.
But the night wasn't looking promising as Vladimir Tarasenko (Justin Faulk and Robert Thomas each picking up assists) scored 1:04 into the second period to give the Blues a 2-0 lead.
Then Columbus got to work.
First, it was Gus Nyquist scoring for the second consecutive night, with Johnny Gaudreau picking up his 400th career assist on the play at 2:21 of the second period. Erik Gudbranson also assisted on the play.
The strike by Gus. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/OFZpHomd0M
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 16, 2022
Johnny Gaudreau recorded his first assist in a @BlueJacketsNHL uniform and the 400th of his career to join some elite company.#NHLStats: https://t.co/Fw7dQhugA9 pic.twitter.com/Aqikaplstn
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 16, 2022
Then 18 seconds later, Eric Robinson and Mathieu Olivier connected with Sean Kuraly for the game-tying goal and Kuraly's first. It's Olivier's first point in a Blue Jacket uniform.
All tied. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/veOLURnjav
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 16, 2022
Overall, the Blue Jackets played one of their better periods all season in that second period, holding a 19-17 shots advantage through 40 minutes.
Ice definitely tilted in Columbus' favor this period. They're outshooting the Blues 18-10.
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 16, 2022
Courtesy of @NatStatTrick #CBJ pic.twitter.com/dP4VwyqkWt
No Finish
Both teams were searching for the third period equalizer and each team had their chances in a back-and-forth affair. Merzlikins withstood some time without his main goalie stick at one point in the third period, as the stick was lodged in the back of the net.
#CBJ in the midst of a long stretch where Elvis is without a goalie stick. It's both broken and lodged in the net. I believe he was using Erik Gudbranson's stick, now he has another, slightly less long player stick.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) October 16, 2022
He was able to get a new one, but the Blues were able to break through to regain the lead soon after.
Ivan Barbashev scored at 10:43 and Jake Neighbours added insurance just 20 seconds later to put the Blues ahead 4-2. Brayden Schenn assisted on both goals, and Buchnevich picked up his second point on Barbashev's goal. Nick Leddy also picked up an assist on Neighbours' goal.
While it certainly looked like the Blues were going to skate away with the win, Tarasenko solidified that with an unassisted goal, his second of the game, following a turnover in the Blue Jackets zone. The Bally Sports Ohio broadcast mentioned that Merzlikins might not have been set but either way, the puck found its way past him.
#CBJ lose 5-2 to #StLBlues, allowing three goals in the third period.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) October 16, 2022
Third time in franchise history the Blue Jackets have opened a season with three regulation losses. (2011-12, 2015-16).
The Blue Jackets are off to a lowly 0-3-0 start, having been outscored 14-5 in the three games.
Back Home
The Blue Jackets will be back home on Tuesday night when they face the Vancouver Canucks from Nationwide Arena at 7:00 pm ET.
