That didn't take long.
Yegor Chinakhov, one of the most talked about prospects in the pipeline, scored in his union blue debut as the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime to kick off the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan.
Chinakhov, who arrived from Russia just over a week ago, put a laser past Maple Leafs goalie Ian Scott early in the third period to tie the game at 3-3.
The Blue Jackets fell behind 2-0 in the first period, but goals from Cole Fonstad and Tristan Mullin in the second frame would tie the game at 2-2. After Toronto regained the lead late in the second, Chinakhov made his presence felt.
Yegor Chinakhov snipes it on the rush to tie the game at 3! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/djidPyTMgt
— SpecmenceCBJ (@SpecmenceCBJ) September 16, 2021
The 20-year-old celebrated his goal with a sweet but subtle celly, spinning his stick a few times as he skated behind the net.
Chinakhov was on the top line along with Cole Sillinger and Tyler Angle. Sillinger, the 12th overall pick in July's draft and another much-talked about youngster in Columbus' system, did not score but did pick up an assist - as did Angle - on Chinakhov's game-tying goal.
The 18-year-old Sillinger has a chance to make the main roster this fall, and his performance Thursday did nothing to lessen that chance.
Josh Dunne, who played in six games with Columbus late last season, scored the overtime winner for the Blue Jackets.
Josh Dunne finishes off a beautiful tic-tac-toe play to win the game for the Blue Jackets in overtime! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/b12gmbZhJY
— SpecmenceCBJ (@SpecmenceCBJ) September 16, 2021
"Even if it's just a prospects game, I think winning can teach winning, and it's important to have a winning culture," said Dunne. "Anytime you put on the jersey, you want to represent it, so it doesn't matter if it's an exhibition game or a rookie tournament or the real deal."
Columbus' next game in the tournament is Friday at 7:00 p.m. against the Dallas Stars.
