A spark was needed in this game and the benching of Pierre-Luc Dubois was only a small part of it.
Regardless, the Blue Jackets would fall to the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 3-2 although the game would go to overtime.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUE JACKETS | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| LIGHTNING | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
The first period of the game was a nice change for the Blue Jackets. While they have scored first in a game before, this time they scored just over 20 seconds into the period. The goal was provided by Oliver Bjorkstrand. Bjorkstrand actually set a new franchise record for the quickest goal scored by a Blue Jacket in a home opener. Despite a solid period, it saw Dubois benched and he would be stapled to the bench for the rest of the game.
THE DANISH DYNAMO DANGLES! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/XLFeesWaga
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) January 22, 2021
While the first period was a nice frame for the Blue Jackets, the opposite was true of the second period. The Lightning had their way with the team and the Blue Jackets would be on their heels for most of the frame. Blake Coleman and Mathieu Joseph would score the goals for the Lightning.
The third period was back in the Blue Jackets favor as they would score off of a Nick Foligno goal. It would also see a Foligno fight in the period as well. The Lightning would get multiple prime looks on goaltender Joonas Korpisalo but it was all for not. The game would then head to overtime as both goaltenders couldn't be cracked in regulation.
FISTICUFFS. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/zCLkQbVyXq
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) January 22, 2021
In the overtime frame, the Blue Jacket would see a 2 on 0 in their favor but they were unable to capitalize. Only 1:56 into the frame, Lightning forward Brayden Point would end the game in overtime. Stop me if you've heard that before.
Injury Update
The Blue Jackets are still without forward Mikko Koivu who is on the Covid related absence list since January 13.
Next Up
The Blue Jackets will face-off against the Tampa Bay Lightning again, on Saturday, January 23, at 2 PM at Nationwide Arena.
