The Canadiens beat the Columbus Blue Jackets Thursday 5-3. The final score is disappointing in large part because of what went into eliminating a 3-0 deficit, but the fact of the matter is that the Blue Jackets can’t put themselves in a three-goal hole.
Tomas Plekanec’s worm-burner with just over a minute remaining in regulation broke a 3-3 tie at the Bell Centre, deflating what was an energized Blue Jackets side that scored three straight in the second and third periods to draw even and have a chance to turn a blowout into a defining victory. Montreal stormed to a 2-0 lead in the first period, added a shorthanded goal from Andrei Markov and seemed to be in total control midway through the game. But along the way, something changed and it started with 20-year-old Boone Jenner.
A healthy scratch earlier in the season and a guy who’s bounced around the last couple of games, Jenner was inserted for top-line duty in the absence of Marian Gaborik and he willed the Blue Jackets back into the game.
His first NHL goal – a hard-working rebound at the front of the net – got the Jackets on the board in the second period and gave them some life. Ryan Johansen’s first goal of the season made it a one-goal game entering the third period, and given a power play chance in the third, Columbus capitalized and again it was their relentless rookie forward.
A shot from the point got through and Price gave up a big rebound, allowing Jenner to get position in front and pull the puck to his backhand. One quick move and it was into the top shelf, pulling the game all square at 3-3 and making two points a legitimate possibility for the visitors.
Instead it was a couple of mistakes that came back to haunt the Blue Jackets, and two shorthanded goals allowed are the most glaring. They’re off to Washington to try and salvage the final game of this three-game swing.
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