The Blue Jackets haven’t had much difficulty starting games well under John Tortorella.
Somewhere between the start and finish, they have occasionally been guilty of losing their way – and that was the case in Thursday night’s game against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre.
Their start was strong once again, and they put ample pressure on the Senators with a heavy forecheck, alert plays in the neutral zone and quick plays on the counterattack. In the first 10 minutes alone, the Blue Jackets had four high-danger scoring chances but couldn’t beat Craig Anderson, who was the deciding factor tonight in a 3-0 defeat.
Add it all up and you’ve got the conclusion of a three-game winning streak for Columbus, led by a lingering feeling of frustration that they couldn’t bury some of their quality opportunities early in the game.
Ryan Johansen and Brandon Saad combined for a turnover and subsequent 2-on-0 down low in the opening moments, but Saad couldn’t settle the hot pass and beat Anderson. It would end up being that kind of night, but Curtis McElhinney turned in a solid effort despite some unfortunate bounces that went against him.
“We had a really good start,” said Johansen. “We just couldn’t find a way to score a goal, we had lots of chances. It’s our job to find ways to get that part of the game down and capitalize on that.
“(McElhinney) played great for us and made a couple highlight-reel saves…they just found ways to put it in the net and we didn’t.”
After the game, Tortorella said this game had the feeling of “first to score wins” and his instinct proved true. The Senators shook off a sluggish first period and controlled play in the second, scoring two quick, odd goals to take hold of the game.
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