COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Columbus Blue Jackets Blue Jackets crushed the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 5-2 win at Nationwide Arena Wednesday night. Back up netminder Joonas Korpisalo made 31 saves and took the win against former Blue Jacket Curtis McElhinney.
Columbus Blue Jackets center Lukas Sedlak (45) collides into the boards with Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Nikita Zaitsev (22) in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News
“(Toronto is) a fast, skilled team,” head coach John Tortorella said. “I thought we played a good game but Korpisalo was a big part of it early on. We got some really good goaltending first period. I thought we checked better as the game went on but Korpisalo certainly gave us a chance in that first ten minutes.”
The Jackets opened the scoring with a goal by right winger Josh Anderson assisted by William Karlsson and Seth Jones at 4:30 in the first period. Columbus would light the lamp again at 11:15 with a goal by Boone Jenner, who was assisted by Zach Werenski and Brandon Dubinsky.
Oliver Bjorkstrand who took over for an injured Scott Hartnell made the most of his opportunity tonight. Bjorkstrand scored his first NHL goal at 1:32 in the second on a breakaway assisted by Alexander Wennberg and Brandon Saad. Tortorella had high praise for the young forward.
“Bjorkstrand stuck out to me in the first period,” Tortorella said. “And through his game I thought he checked well. Part of the maturation of a young guy is how you play away from the puck. I thought he really showed a concentration there and you can see his skill. He’s a skilled guy and the puck follows him. He played a good game. It’s something we have to look at when we get our lineup ready for the next game.”
Nick Foligno made it 4-0 Columbus on a power play goal. It was Foligno’s 20th goal of the season and his first power play goal since January 7th.
Toronto would not go quietly into the dark night. Nazim Kadri raged against the dying of the light scoring the first of his two goals at 17:28 in the second. The second period would end 4-1 Columbus.
The third period began and the Jacket slowed down a bit.
“Our first two periods were really good. We kind of took our foot off the gas there in the third. They’re a really good team, so they made their push.” said defenseman Zach Werenski.
Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Joonas Korpisalo (70) makes the save against Toronto Maple Leafs center Leo Komarov (47) in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News
That push would wind up with Kadri’s second goal of the night at 6:19 making it 4-2.
“Tough start,” Kadri said. “I think we dominated the second half of the game but by then it was too late.”
Matt Calvert would put the icing on the cake by flipping the puck into an empty net at 17:39.
Toronto had very little defense tonight and the Columbus Blue Jackets capitalized on it. The forwards never gave up skating.
“We had some real good chances in the first period,” Toronto coach Mike Babcock said. “We had some quality chances, quality looks, but we didn’t score.”
As true as Babcock’s statement is, it was the Columbus Blue Jackets who would be victorious tonight.
February 15, 2017: in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News
February 15, 2017: Columbus Blue Jackets goalie makes the save while warming up before facing the Toronto Maple Leafs in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News
February 15, 2017: Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Joonas Korpisalo leads the Columbus Blue Jackets out onto the ice in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News
February 15, 2017: Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Joonas Korpisalo listens to the Star Spangled Banner before facing the Toronto Maple Leafs in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News
February 15, 2017: Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock argues a call while facing the Columbus Blue Jackets in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News
February 15, 2017: : Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) celebrates his goal against Toronto with Columbus Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky (17) in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News
February 15, 2017: Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) celebrates his goal against Toronto with Columbus Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky (17) in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News
February 15, 2017: Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Josh Anderson (34) Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News
February 15, 2017: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) handles the puck against Toronto in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News
February 15, 2017: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Connor Carrick (8) handles the puck against Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News
February 15, 2017: Toronto forward Zach Hyman (11 )fights for the puck against Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) behind the net in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News
February 15, 2017:The Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate a goal scored by Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (43)against Columus in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News
February 15, 2017: Columbus Blue Jackets center Lukas Sedlak (45) collides into the boards with Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Nikita Zaitsev (22) in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News
February 15, 2017:Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (43) celebrates his second goal of the night against Columbus with Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Josh Leivo (32) in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News
February 15, 2017: Toronto Maple Leafs center Tyler Bozak (42) wins the puck against Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman David Savard (58) in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News
February 15, 2017: Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Curtis McElhinney (35) makes the save against hi former team, the Columbus Blue Jackets in their game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News
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