Only two Columbus Blue Jackets players scored goals tonight. Thankfully, each did it multiple times to secure the 5-2 win in Columbus’ final home game before the All-Star break.
Cam Atkinson notched his third career hat trick (with his dad in attendance) and Brandon Saad got two goals of his own to hand Montreal their 18th loss in the last 24 games.
It was a fun game to watch, and not just because of the narratives of a hat trick, or a young Columbus fan getting the second ever “goal puppy.” Columbus posted a solid response to a fast Montreal team and young goaltender Joonas Korpisalo also displayed some impressive confidence bouncing back after giving up a goal from PK Subban’s shot from almost center ice. That’s a good sign for the future of Jackets’ goaltending.
Atkinson’s linemates, Brandon Dubinsky and Boone Jenner, assisted on all three of the right wing’s goals, speaking to the effectiveness of that line and the consistency of play and lineup of late.
Let’s take a look at the superlatives:
The Really Good: Cam Atkinson.
#13 got his third career hat trick and his first at home, and that is the stat that will stand out. But what was more impressive tonight was seeing what makes Cam so good fully realized. He led the team tonight in shot attempts (11), controlled zone entries (5), and was 3 of 7 in shots on goal.
That’s the reality of when Cam’s skill and speed are on full display.
The most impressive goal may have been his second. Off the backhand, on the angle. Look at it. It is beautiful.
https://twitter.com/myregularface/status/691791359116722177
The Also Really Good. Scoring Chances.
Under John Tortorella’s leadership, the Jackets shot attempts for have gone down on the whole. But what is going up is the team’s scoring chances for, and even more so, their high danger scoring chances – meaning those changes that have a really good probability of going in. It’s something interesting to watch for and tonight was another example of this trend on display.
The Jackets lost the “Corsi war” with only 44.44% of all even strength shot attempts, but they dominated in scoring chances for 25 for versus 19 against, and doubled the Habs’ high danger chances (5) with ten total for the home team.
The Best. Off-Ice Shenanigans.
In a season like the Jackets are having, it’s not as easy to have an ebullient fan base. But tonight, a movement started quietly and then got more and more traction…I give you: #CamSmiles
#CamSmiles pic.twitter.com/M9HnMFSZOr
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) January 26, 2016
Picture of the Game:
#Camsanity #HatTrick #thirdone pic.twitter.com/0fWGEBDkgD
— Todd Sharrock (@ToddSharrock) January 26, 2016
TWEET OF THE GAME:
Looks like we're going puppy shopping. Thanks @CamAtkinson13 pic.twitter.com/ZV8svd5xT2
— Brian Wright (@cubbiesfan71) January 26, 2016
The Jackets and Habs flew out immediately following Monday’s game straight to Montreal where they will face each other again tomorrow night in the final game for each before the break.
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