Blue Jackets Score: December 3, 2016

Game 23 / Check out the whole project here

Let’s be straight forward about a few things last night. First: this game was sandwiched between an awesome start (I like when we score a goal less then 20 seconds into the game) and a nail biting finish (equalizing the score to push into overtime and then a shootout). But for about 50 minutes in between it was incredibly, well, lackluster. Granted there was plenty “happening” with 15 penalty box parades and CBJ putting 60 shots on goal. But even though we weren’t playing poorly we just weren't able to make a lot stick. Second: this game was all about Phoenix goalie, Mike Smith. Like I mentioned, 60 shots made it to Smith and he turned away 58 (47 in a row at one point). He played the puck forward, got into a scuffle drawing a penalty from the Jackets, and almost attacked the goal post after an exhausting loss. He was one of only a few risk takers from the Coyotes last night, but it didn’t pan out.

Game Highlights:
-60 SOG is a franchise record and hasn’t been done by another team since 2009 when Toronto put 60 against the Islanders
-With McElhinney in goal, this was his first career overtime win
-Matt Calvert was activated from IR which just leaves Clarkson and Prout (both out indefinitely)
-CBJ has five regulation losses which are the fewest in the NHL
-Both teams next game is against each other again, but this time at Nationwide