The CBJ matched up against the Carolina Hurricanes in Columbus at Nationwide Arena for the second time in the past week.
The Jackets took the first battle, dealing out a 4-1 beating to the Hurricanes on Tuesday. The obvious goal would be to repeat that outcome.
A rough 2nd period almost disrupted that game plan, but a stand out game for Scott Hartnell would ultimately save the game for Blue Jackets.
The Jackets got off to a zippy start in the first period when the (recently called up) Finnish youngster, Markus Hannikainen, scored his first career NHL goal.
Hannikainen found himself perfectly placed in the front of the net to catch and bury a rebound shot from Josh Anderson. William Karlsson was also in on the assist.
You never forget your first @NHL goal! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/g7NEYYTRdW
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) January 21, 2017
Nearly ten minutes later, the not so youngster, Scott Hartnell, extended the lead to 2. Hartnell brought the puck up the ice and sniped a long range bomb to fire the cannon. Dalton Prout and Scott Harrington both got their first assists of the season on the Hartnell goal.
The second period wouldn’t be as friendly to the Jackets as the first. Carolina would outshoot the Jackets 9-2 and ultimately outscore them 2-0. As pretty as the first period was for the CBJ, the second was equally as ugly.
Shades of Blue Jackets yesteryear emerged, but that’s not the identity of this years rejuvenated CBJ squad. As we’ve quickly learned this season, safe is indeed death.
The Jackets let their new identity shine, doing what this squad has done best midway through the season, find a way to win games.
Star of game, Scott Hartnell came to the rescue midway into a scoreless third period. Sam Gagner worked his way through traffic and dished the puck across the ice to find Hartnell who banged home what would go on to be the game winner.
WHAT a play. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/v1vHVUpVTP
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) January 22, 2017
Bobrovsky would hold off the Hurricanes late to get the win. Bob had 35 saves for another impressive performance. Hugs all around for the Jackets Saturday on a very appropriate National Hug Day.
The win Saturday moves the Jackets to 31-10-4 on the season.
Saturday’s game rounded out a three game home stand for the CBJ going 2-1.
The Jackets hit the road to face off against the Ottawa Senators Sunday, followed by two more road games before moving into the All-Star break.
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