The streak is going the wrong way.
On the heels of points in four straight games, the Blue Jackets losing streak hit four games Monday night with a 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars.
The home team took an early lead — a very early lead, scoring just 0:26 into the game. Columbus would answer, scoring a pair of goals before the opening period would come to a close.
The 2-1 lead would last a few moments into the second period, but Dallas' Roope Hintz would tie the game at the 5:52 mark, and the Stars would take the lead for good early in the third period on a goal by former Blue Jacket Matt Duchene. It was one of three in the third for Dallas before a goal in the final minutes by Sean Kuraly would score the final goal of the evening.
Voronkov's First — But Not His Last
In his first NHL game, Dmitri Voronkov picked up an assist. Two games later, the 6'5", 240lb rookie scored his first goal. There is a lot to like about the 23-year-olds game and the goal was a traditional "big boy" goal; hang out in front of the net and wait on the puck to come to you.
Welcome to the #NHL, Dmitri Voronkov! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/ctitjrg4jO
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 31, 2023
With a surplus of forwards and "tough decisions" needing to be made in advance of each game, it's saying something that Voronkov has played in place of Kent Johnson (once) and Kirill Marchenko (twice) in the last week. He's playing his way into a regular role and could be a middle-six forward before we know it.
Whereeeeee's Johnny?
Gaudreau is not off to "The Shining" start he and the 5th Line would like to see, and Monday's loss could have only added to the frustrations. With two shots on goal, Gaudreau is now at 29 shots in nine games without a goal to show for it. This is despite an average of 20:53 of ice time per night, a career high thus far.
#NHL GameScore Impact Card for Columbus Blue Jackets on 2023-10-30:#CBJ pic.twitter.com/udBHpFZ56m
— HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) October 31, 2023
Advanced metrics can be misleading at times, but your best and most expensive forward can't spend too much time with an offensive rating that you have to squint to see.
That said, this can still probably be chalked up to a simple cold streak. The goals will come — just hopefully sooner rather than later.
Next Up: Home Again In Battle With The Bolts
This is the kind of game that just has to be shaken off. Dallas is elite, one of the best teams in the league. Focus in on the small victories: getting three by Oettinger, holding Dallas to 0-for-3 on the power play, and being tied in the third period (and on the road) against a Stars team that is now 5-1-1.
The Blue Jackets return home to Nationwide Arena for their next game. They'll face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Columbus went 0-3-0 against the Bolts last season and were outscored 15-6 in the three games.
