In the fourth of five meetings this year between the Jackets and the Capitals the Jackets found a way to come off the All-Star break confident and persistent. They beat the Caps 4-3 at Nationwide Arena and Curtis McElhinney stood tall in net. Let’s take a look at the three stars as named by NHL.com:
3rd Star: Nick Foligno: You have to think that coming off the emotional high of an All-Star weekend is something draining, but not if you’re Nick Foligno. He had two assists on the night, both of which brought his career point total to 250. This guy gives his all night in and night out – he played well tonight.
2nd Star: Ryan Johansen: Will we look back in a few years and say that the 2015 All-Star weekend was the beginning of Ryan’s coming out party? The weekend cemented him in the minds of many in the league (those who play, those who watch and those who write), and while he had a bit of a slow start the big centre found his way to the back of the net early with an absolutely gorgeous snipe from the left circle. He had a team leading 6 shots on goal, tying his new “Friend” Alex Ovechkin.
1st Star: Cam Atkinson: Welcome back to the score sheet, Cam! Atkinson is a goal-scorer. It’s what he does well and it’s what he likes to do. It had been 17 games since his last goal but tonight he was buzzin’. Multiple chances were turned away by Holtby who played very well, but the seal was finally broken on what turned out to be the game winner. When Cam takes it up a notch it is very noticeable on the ice, and tonight was one of those nights. 5 shots, 1 attempt blocked, and 1 missed shot and also the team leader in scoring chances with 7. Well done.
Game in One Picture
Stud: Fedor Tyutin. Just a shout out for a guy who quietly goes about his business game in and game out. Tonight, the defenseman had a goal and an assist and played well with Prouter, including a few key sequences late in the game when they partnered well to keep the puck in the zone. Played well – deserves attention and a nod of acknowledgement for his play.
Dud: The 30 seconds after a Jackets goal. Guys. Seriously. Two Jackets goals in a row followed immediately by Caps goals? Lucky to get away with a win if you’re going to play like that. And then, the one time you do NOT give up a goal, Boll draws a penalty right after you take the lead? Me no likey. It’s fun to score, it’s fun to have a lead – it’s not fun to see negative results if you forget that the game goes on…
The jackets now travel down to Florida on Wednesday for a match up against the Panthers…and, in a schedule that mimics the month of December (and the beginning of the win streak bee tea dubs) they they head to Tampa Bay to face the Lightning. Every game matters…onward we go.
Carry the Flag.
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