Carolina finished off the home-and-home with another victory over Columbus. This time, the home-team Blue Jackets made things interesting with a strong performance late in the game, especially a great third period. The CBJ stormed back from a 3-0 deficit and forced the overtime period. Unfortunately for Columbus, a lackluster first two frames kept the Hurricanes ahead most of the game, and Jordan Staal finished off the game with the 3-on-3 goal.
The Good: Young Players
For the CBJ, the Kerby Rychel – William Karlsson – Josh Anderson line was excellent in the first and second periods, and those same wingers kept up the great play later on. The trio were effective in entering the zone and zipping away with shot attempts. They didn’t come away with any points, but they also didn’t yield many chances to the opposition while spending time in the Carolina end. On the night, Karlsson and Anderson both finished over 60% even strength CF%, and Rychel was also above water (via Natural Stat Trick).
Later in the game, Brandon Dubinsky swapped with Karlsson to join Rychel and Anderson. Then, 11 minutes into the third, that line clicked. Anderson and Rychel fought for the puck, ultimately finding Dubinsky. Dubinsky sent a shot toward net, Rychel collected the loose puck and delivered a sweet pass to Anderson, burying the goal with Ward way out of the picture. The goal was Josh Anderson’s first in the NHL, and the Anderson-Rychel celebration was awesome.
first @NHL goal feels pic.twitter.com/iN0O44wAA2
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) January 10, 2016
Another aspect of this “good young players” thing? The young d-men, Seth Jones, Ryan Murray, and Carolina’s Noah Hanifin. At even strength, Murray-Jones was a 62% CF% combo, a hint at why the CBJ went for the Johansen trade. It’ll be fun watching these two continue the rest of the season. Meanwhile, Hanifin was no slouch and finished 58%, with some glorious passing on the Carolina powerplay (again, from Natural Stat Trick). Those three d-men plus Brandon Saad make for an exciting quartet on the North American “Young Guns” 23 and under team in the World Cup this September. I’m not-so-secretly excited to see if they can upset the favorites (like Canada).
Not Ideal: The Penalties
Cam Atkinson’s shorthanded goal was a lot of fun. Somewhat less fun: the Blue Jackets continue their march to the penalty box. Already down, the CBJ took two penalties in fairly quick succession in the second period, building on the NHL lead in penalty minutes. Pulling out of a hole is only made harder when playing a man down.
Matt’s Pointless Point of the Game: Malone Fight
Last night, Brad Malone delivered a high hit to Nick Foligno. The Jackets’ captain is now on IR and out indefinitely with the upper body injury. The National Hockey League decided that the head wasn’t the principal point of contact in the hit, so no suspension for Malone.
Carolina's Brad Malone will not face supplemental discipline for his hit on Columbus' Nick Foligno. Video: https://t.co/8dc9jzaQxx
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) January 9, 2016
It’s a very “hockey” thing to expect a response in the form of a fight, and Jared Boll answered the call. It’s also silly to me. Instead of either team or the league taking substantive action, it’s an after-the-fact reply (where “substantive action” means more actively preventing or seriously punishing a player for causing injury on a late hit). It doesn’t really address the problem, and also distracts from the hockey being played.
The Blue Jackets are back at it Tuesday in Brooklyn against the New York Islanders.
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