Despite leading 5-0 after two periods, the Blue Jackets needed overtime to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-5 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Thursday.
With the win, the Blue Jackets improved to 10-16-5.
Here are three things from Thursday's game:
Kent Johnson Buzzing
In his best period of the season, Johnson had a beautiful set-up on Patrik Laine's goal and an even more majestic deflection from the right circle on his goal to put the team up 2-0.
#CBJ Laine (6) goal pic.twitter.com/oS7C9gALza
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) December 15, 2023
#CBJ Johnson (2) goal pic.twitter.com/PZS66W4cik
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) December 15, 2023
Johnson capped off the night with the overtime winner when he ripped a nasty right-circle wrist shot into the top shelf of the net to win the game for the Jackets.
#CBJ Johnson (3) goal pic.twitter.com/jTu2QKQojQ
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) December 15, 2023
Johnson has recorded 3-6--9 this season and has two multi-point games in his last four contests, including the first three-point outing of his career on Thursday.
Laine Leaves With Injury
After taking a hit from William Lagesson that saw his shoulder slammed into the boards, Laine left the game in the second period with an upper-body injury and did not return.
Patrik Laine went to the locker room holding his shoulder after this awkward collision with Lagesson#CBJ pic.twitter.com/HRQ5jt5hUS
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) December 15, 2023
Laine has already missed 12 games this season due to a concussion and an illness. This would be a huge loss for the Blue Jackets as it looked like they found something with the Johnson-Cole Sillinger-Laine line.
| Stat | Goals For/ Against | xGoals For/Against | Shot Attempts For/Against | Shots on Goal For/Against | Scoring Chances For/Against | High-Danger Chances For/Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | 2/0 | 0.41/0.38 | 6/7 | 2/1 | 4/2 | 2/2 |
Another Third-Period Collapse
The Blue Jackets took a 5-0 lead into the third period, but resorted to playing poorly in the final frame yet again, allowing two goals in the first 3:49 and two more tallies at 14:21 and 18:15 to make it a 5-4 game. Auston Matthews then tied the game at 19:15 and sent the game to overtime. The Blue Jackets were outshot 21-7 in the third period after outshooting the Maple Leafs 26-25 through two periods. Despite the win, the team's third-period play remains a massive concern.
Next Up
The Blue Jackets will host the New Jersey Devils on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on Bally Sports Ohio,
