What a night.
The Blue Jackets defeated the Boston Bruins, 2-1, in an overtime thriller. It was the first meeting between the two teams since the Bruins took down the Blue Jackets in the playoffs last season.
Elvis Merzlikins saved 25 of 26 shots for the Blue Jackets. His counterpart, Tuukka Rask, saved 31 of 33.
| 1 | 2 | 3 (OT) | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUE JACKETS | 0 | 0 | 1 (1) | 2 |
| BRUINS | 0 | 1 | 0 (0) | 1 |
In the first period, the Blue Jackets thought they had gotten the scoring started just 17 seconds into the game when Gustav Nyquist wristed the puck into the net after a scramble around the Bruins' goal. Boston used their challenge, believing that Boone Jenner had interfered with Rask's left pad. After review, the call on the ice was overturned and it was ruled no goal.
After 20 minutes, the Blue Jackets and Bruins were knotted at 0-0, with the Blue Jackets holding a slight edge in shots on goal at 9-8.
The second period wasn't entirely kind to the Blue Jackets, who lost their discipline and took two penalties, the second of which led to a David Pastrnak power play goal (30). Torrey Krug (22) and Patrice Bergeron (19) notched assists. Pastrnak's goal was the lone one in the period.
And right off the face-off, Pastrnak capitalizes. 1-0 Boston. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/OMQandy0Hi
— Alison (@AlisonL) January 3, 2020
Shots on goal in the period favored the Blue Jackets, 14-12. Overall shots after 40 minutes were 23-20, Blue Jackets.
Down 1-0 and needing a big push in the final period, Sonny Milano provided a huge spark, tying the game at 1-1 early in the third with his fourth of the season. Assists went to Nathan Gerbe (2) and Alexander Wennberg (12).
1-1 #CBJ
— Alison (@AlisonL) January 3, 2020
Milano ties it up. Hell get credit for the goal and that should include all the work he did leading up to the chance to maintain possession for the Jackets. pic.twitter.com/ok6SxC1JXT
Through stalwart defensive work, the Blue Jackets were able to hold off the lethal Bruins attack and grab a point, as it finished 1-1 after 60 minutes. The Blue Jackets extended their point streak to 12 games.
In overtime, Pierre-Luc Dubois ended things with a blast (14) off of an amazing feed from Seth Jones (19).
Thatis a spectacular goal.
— Alison (@AlisonL) January 3, 2020
Jones -> Dubois -> net#CBJ win 2-1 pic.twitter.com/E05hrJMN6p
Injury Update
LW Sonny Milano returned to the lineup tonight after missing time with an upper-body injury.
RW Cam Atkinson and RW Emil Bemstrom traveled with the club to Boston, but did not play. In an interview with Jody Shelley before the second period of tonight's game, Atkinson said that he's "getting close" to drawing back in.
Next Up
The Blue Jackets (19-14-8, 46 pts.) will host a Saturday matinee as the San Jose Sharks (18-21-3, 39 pts.) come into town. Puck drop is slated for 1:00 p.m. at Nationwide Arena.
