Blue Jackets Stave Off Elimination With Win Over Senators

The Columbus Blue Jackets played their third game against the Ottawa Senators in 11 days on Tuesday night at Nationwide Arena. Unlike the first two encounters, the Blue Jackets got a desirable result.

Mathieu Olivier and Justin Danforth each recorded a goal and an assist while Elvis Merzlikins made 33 saves to lift the Blue Jackets to a 5-2 win over the Senators. While the Blue Jackets kept their very slim playoff hopes alive, the Senators punched their ticket to the NHL Playoffs when the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-1.

The story of this game was the Blue Jackets playing the kind of hockey that’s been successful for them at different points throughout the season.

Game Recap

The Blue Jackets had struggled getting leads early in games. They flipped the script on that seven minutes into the first period. Dmitri Voronkov scored his first goal in 17 games dating back to the Stadium Series to open the scoring. He found room in the slot and beat Anton Forsberg.

The Blue Jackets were able to extend to 2-0 late in the first period. Denton Mateychuk lifted the puck from his own zone. Danforth caught up to it to create an odd-man rush. He displayed patience, dragged the puck to the slot and beat Forsberg.

It was a chippy game throughout. Players on both sides took liberties with an extra slash or cross-check when possible. Sean Kuraly and Matthew Highmore each got roughing minors in the second when Kuraly responded to Highmore chopping him with his stick. Werenski also came to the aid of Kent Johnson after he was hit with multiple slashes.

The Blue Jackets had been missing that edge from their game. After suffering a pair of losses to the Senators, that was what they leaned on to find an important win.

On a power play late in the second, Fabian Zetterlund scored his first goal with the Senators since being acquired at the trade deadline from the San Jose Sharks. Olivier then scored a big response goal at the end of the second to extend to 3-1 after 40 minutes.

Then to open the third, Sean Monahan converted on the power play to make it 4-1. Adam Fantilli got a break 10 minutes later to make it 5-1. Thomas Chabot then finished the scoring by depositing a rebound past Merzlikins to get to the final score of 5-2.

Erik Gudbranson recorded an assist playing his 800th NHL game. He received praise postgame from head coach Dean Evason about what he’s been able to provide the team since his return from shoulder surgery.

The Blue Jackets trail the Canadiens by eight points with five games left. The Blue Jackets next play Thursday night at home against the Buffalo Sabres. The Senators will head home and meet the Canadiens on Friday night.