Despite opening the scoring and taking a 2-0 lead in the second period, the Blue Jackets dropped their second straight home game in a 3-2 overtime loss against the Los Angeles Kings at Nationwide Arena.
“I don’t know what this is,” coach John Tortorella said after the game. “We came off a really good game in Philly, a complete effort from everybody, and I just don’t know where our urgency was tonight against probably one of the top teams in the league.”
Los Angeles, who came to Columbus on a four-game winning streak, pushed the Jackets into overtime after Jeff Carter notched the equalizer at 18:33 of the third period.
The goal was netted against Jackets back-up goaltender Curtis McElhinney, who entered the game with 5:35 to play in the third after starting goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky left the game with an undisclosed injury.
With less than 30 seconds left in the overtime period, Alec Martinez scored and the Kings picked up the extra point to keep their winning streak alive.
“It’s disappointing whenever you have a late lead in the game like that and the other team finds a way to win,” center Ryan Johansen said. “It’s not a good feeling. Ever.”
The Blue Jackets’ 23 shots were almost doubled by the Kings, who led the way with 41 shots; Bobrovsky made 33 saves before leaving the game.
Tortorella cited Bobrovsky’s play in between the pipes as a big reason the Jackets were able to hold onto their lead as long as they did during the game.
“I’ll tell you what impact Bob had on the game— we don’t have a chance, I mean we’re not even close, if it isn’t for Bob,” Tortorella said. “We’re down probably four or five goals going into that third period if we don’t have Bob.”
Tortorella said he was unsure of the extent of his No. 1 goalie’s injury, and that he expects Bobrovsky to be re-evaluated tomorrow.
This Tuesday night match-up was yet another example of the Jackets taking an early lead but finding a way to lose.
Click here to read more of this story.
About Marion Online Sports
