The Columbus Blue Jackets were coming off three straight losses, including the embarrassing 9-4 defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres, when they faced the Calgary flames on Friday night.
Columbus struck first with a goal by Patrik Laine just one minute into the game. They followed that up with another goal three minutes into the second period, and they carried that lead into the final frame.
The Flames scored with a few minutes left in the game, but the Jackets stood strong, scoring an empty netter and holding on for the 3-1 win.
Laine Strikes Again
The last time Laine scored at least 40 goals in a season, he was donning a Winnepeg Jets sweater. The fifth line hoped that the addition of Johnny Gaudreau this offseason would help the Finnish winger reach that benchmark with the Blue Jackets.
Unfortunately, things were not going well for Laine when he went down with a sprained ankle on November 12th. Up to that point, he had only scored four points, including just two goals in eight games.
However, with his first-period goal in this game, Laine has now scored five goals and six total points in the five contests since returning from his injury. He is now on pace to score 40 goals this season if he can stay healthy the rest of the way.
Patty, ya filthy animal pic.twitter.com/2cgz9k4g5W
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) December 10, 2022
Korpisalo's Short Night
Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo was having a good night, turning away all twelve shots he faced in the first period. He went into the locker room with the rest of the team during the first intermission, but he never returned. Instead of Korpisalo, it was Elvis Merzlikins minding the net to start the second. Later on, we were informed that Korpisalo had sustained a lower-body injury and would not return.
Merzlikins almost had to leave the game too when he hurt his hand in the third period, but he was able to shake it off and finish the game. He did well in relief as he saved 21 of the 22 shots for a .955 sv%.
Powerful Play
The CBJ were unable to score a powerplay goal even though they were given seven chances to do so. However, their penalty kill was impressive.
For the fifth game in a row, the Blue Jackets faced five powerplays from their opponent. In each of the previous four games, they gave up at least one PP goal, including three in their game against the Sabres on Wednesday night. But this game was a huge improvement as they stood strong and were perfect on the penalty kill.
Next Up
The Blue Jackets stay at home to take on the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday. The puck drop is at 6 p.m. EST.
