Blue Jackets Defeated by Panthers in Shootout After Blowing Third-Period Lead Late

But they still should have gotten the two points.

The boys in blue started quickly against old friend Sergei Bobrovsky. Kevin Stenlund scored just 2:11 into the contest to give Columbus a 1-0 lead, which hasn't exactly boded well for them this season. Veteran center Mikko Koivu, making his Blue Jackets debut, notched his first point with Columbus on his first shift. 

HOW SWEDE IT IS! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/381l8uHVRX

— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) January 27, 2021

Later in the period, Alexandre Texier deflected an Oliver Bjorkstrand shot past Bobrovsky, and it was 2-0.

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."
- Wayne Gretzky
- Michael Scott
- Oliver Bjorkstrand #CBJ pic.twitter.com/xrYQzsqx4v

— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) January 27, 2021

Before the period ended, Carter Verhaege cut the lead to 2-1. Make no mistake, though. The Blue Jackets were lucky to be ahead. Florida was outshooting them, out-hustling them, and they would tie the game just under four minutes into the second period. Aleksander Barkov found himself all alone in front of the net and made no mistake.

The second period would conclude with the score knotted at 2-2, but the Panthers were outshooting the Blue Jackets 16-9.

In the third period, Cam Atkinson took matters into his own hands. After Koivu took a tripping penalty, Atkinson found himself with an opportunity to get a shot on goal. He beat Bobrovsky with a wrister to give the Blue Jackets the lead.

Then, with 2.5 seconds left, the Panthers tied it up. Patric Hornqvist batted a puck out of midair to beat Joonas Korpisalo and send the game to overtime. After a scoreless overtime period, Hornqvist scored in the fifth round of the shootout to give the Panthers the extra point.

Next Up

The Blue Jackets will take on the Panthers again on Thursday night. Puck drop at Nationwide Arena is slated for 7:00 p.m. E.T.