Just as it felt like the Columbus Blue Jackets were getting some third-period luck, the luck went out the window.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Brady Skjei, and Andrei Svechnikov scored three third-period goals to power the Carolina Hurricanes past the Blue Jackets 3-2 on Sunday from PNC Arena in Raleigh.
In addition to his first goal of the season standing up as the game-winner, Svechnikov added an assist for the two-point game and is on a four-game point streak (one goal, four assists).
Seth Jarvis had two assists. Teuvo Teravainen, Martin Necas, and Andrei Svechnikov also had assists.
Pyotr Kochetkov made 21 stops.
Kirill Marchenko and Johnny Gaudreau scored for Columbus. Gaudreau also had an assist to extend a three-game point streak (one goal, three assists).
Elvis Merzlikins made 40 saves.
Weathering The Storm Surge
The Blue Jackets entered Sunday on their first two-game winning streak since Oct. 21-22 and feeling better about their recent play, they were in for another tough test.
Carolina was dumped 8-2 by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday and the Lightning scored those eight goals on only 14 shots on goal. Antti Raanta was between the pipes for that one. Kochetkov was in the crease on Sunday, making his first career start against the Blue Jackets.
Being able to test its mettle against another top performer inside the Metropolitan Division, could Columbus keep up the good vibes?
The first period featured a lot of pace and back-and-forth action. Merzlikins made 18 saves. Per Natural Stat Trick, here are the expected goal totals per period:
- First Period: 0.95-0.31 Carolina
- Second Period: 0.61-0.46 Carolina
- Third Period: 1.30-0.26 Carolina
- Final: 2.86-1.04 Carolina
Elvis Kept Them In It
Merzlikins continued his sterling play on Sunday.
Coming off a 37-save performance in Friday's 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils, Merzlikins' shutout streak continued into the third period until Kotkaniemi's goal at 10:01.
First time all season #CBJ has been in a scoreless game through 40 minutes. In fact, it's the first time in more than a year -- Jackets and Habs were scoreless through two on Nov. 23 of last season.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) November 26, 2023
Unfortunately for Merzlikins and the Jackets, Carolina was too much to withstand as the 'Canes scored three straight goals to complete the comeback.
#CBJ was outshot 22-1 when Erik Gudbranson was on the ice and 17-1 when Jake Bean was on the ice. (h/t Nat Stat Trick)
— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) November 27, 2023
It was the same story as the Hurricanes outshot Columbus 43-23 for the game and 16-7 in the third period. Merzlikins' goals saved above expected was 0.81 per MoneyPuck.
Columbus entered the day second in the league on the penalty kill (88.5%) and stopped the Hurricanes twice on the power play. Carolina came in tied for 10th (22.2%) with the man advantage.
Marchenko and Gaudreau Score
Marchenko's unassisted third-period goal at 13 seconds of the third period broke a scoreless tie.
He has four career points (all goals) in three career games against the Hurricanes.
Marchys 6th goal of the year! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/EFdVfON0fV
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) November 26, 2023
At 6:41, Gaudreau added to the lead with his third goal of the season, also unassisted.
Johnny Gaudreau scores and the Blue Jackets add to their lead!
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) November 27, 2023
It's the 234th career goal for Johnny Hockey!#CBJ | @BlueJacketsNHL pic.twitter.com/jCVuTWcLY8
Monday Night Versus The Bruins
The Blue Jackets are right back at it against the Boston Bruins on Monday, Nov. 27, at Nationwide Arena. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 p.m. ET.
