That one was big.
After a disappointing loss on Tuesday, the Columbus Blue Jackets found themselves in a stressful, back-and-forth game that went deep into overtime tonight, but Artemi Panarin just wouldn't quit.
Seth Jones got the game-winner, but the play was all about Panarin, who made an incredible play to get a two-on-one rush that led to the game-winner.
The game's happy ending was far from a guarantee, though. Former Blue Jacket Jakub Voracek got the Flyers on the board early, just 3:30 into the game, and then some madness ensued. Oliver Bjorkstrand tied the game up a few minutes later, then each team had a goal disallowed on review – one for Bjorkstrand and one for James van Riemsdyk – before Travis Sanheim put Philadelphia up 2-1.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUE JACKETS | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| FLYERS | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
The Blue Jackets surged a bit in the second period, leading to an Artemi Panarin game-tying goal, but a few huge missed opportunities cost them dearly. In the span of about 30 seconds, Columbus over-passed on a two-on-one rush, leading to either a turnover or an easy save. It was reminiscent of the three-on-zero the Blue Jackets had last time out against the Penguins, which they also squandered.
Those missed opportunities very nearly came back to bite them. Scott Harrington scored early in the third to give Columbus its first lead of the game – which instead should have arguably padded the lead – but Sanheim's second of the game later in the period tied it up.
From there, the game went into overtime. Matt Duchene had a golden opportunity a couple of minutes into the overtime period, nearly sniping the far corner after a perfect feed by Cam Atkinson, but it just went high. It looked like this one was going to a shootout, but then Panarin absolutely put the team on his back.
Bread. Jones. Blouses. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/AKdP1r5r4r
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 1, 2019
The Russian winger got the puck deep in his own end and deftly avoided the defense, pivoting and finding Jones, who cleanly exited the zone. Panarin got the puck back and weaved past a Flyer, then waited out Brian Elliott before hitting Jones, who put the game to bed.
Injury Update
Ryan Murray is still out and his timetable is uncertain, while Alexander Wennberg missed his fourth-straight game as a healthy scratch.
Next Up
Columbus will host some western Canadian visitors this weekend, starting with the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday and then the Winnipeg Jets – one of the league's top teams – on Sunday.
