Despite outshooting the Washington Capitals 37-33, the Blue Jackets fell 3-2 in overtime at Nationwide Arena to their division foe and are now 11-17-6 on the season.
Here are three things from Thursday's game:
Sillinger Scoring
With his third goal of the season tonight, Cole Sillinger has scored in back-to-back games and equaled his goal total from last season in 35 fewer games. He's played very well recently as the team's third-line center between Kent Johnson and Emil Bemstrom. Sillinger now has 3-9--12 in 29 games this season.
#CBJ Bemstrom (5) goal pic.twitter.com/OIxh09iQjh
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) December 22, 2023
Clutch Chinakhov
After the Blue Jackets were pushing for a goal, Yegor Chinakhov ripped a right-slot laser to tie the game with 7:11 left in regulation to tie the game and secure the Blue Jackets a hard-fought point. The goal was his ninth of the season and surely one of his best. His elite speed and shot give him the potential to be an elite goal-scorer in the NHL. It's important to remember that he's just 22 years old and has played 116 career NHL games.
#CBJ Chinakhov (9) goal pic.twitter.com/q4F8JGZxAS
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) December 22, 2023
Elvis Giveth and Elvis Taketh
For most of the night, Elvis Merzlikins was fantastic, posting 0.74 goals saved above expected, per moneypuck.com, and stopping 30 Washington shots. However, he committed a costly penalty in overtime when he went at it with Tom Wilson in his own net, leading to Alex Ovechkin's game-winning goal on the power play. This penalty not only gave Washington a power play, but it halted a Blue Jackets odd-man rush the other way.
We got a big ol' fight! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/u7PuX1iJYm
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) December 22, 2023
Next Up
The Blue Jackets host the Maple Leafs on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on Bally Sports Ohio.
