Blue Jackets fall 3-1 to Minnesota, drop season series
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Looking to recapture the magic of its thrilling 6-4 victory against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday evening, the Columbus Blue Jackets welcomed the Minnesota Wild to Nationwide Arena for their second and final meeting of the 2024-2025 campaign. The two teams met just nine days ago with the Wild claiming a 3-2 victory on its home ice and dealing the Jackets their first loss of the young season.
Minnesota continued its good fortune against the CBJ, earning a 3-1 victory and clinching a season sweep over Columbus.
The Wild got the attack started early just two minutes in when winger Mats Zuccarello got off a backhanded shot that forced an early save from Daniil Tarasov to keep the game scoreless.
Tarasov continued to demonstrate strong play, making three key saves during the Jackets first penalty kill of the evening. Unfortunately for the Russian goalie the Wild broke through moments later when Marko Rossi stepped into the middle of the slot uncontested and buried a wrist shot in to the net to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.
Try as they would, Columbus couldn’t get the ball rolling in the first period, collecting just one shot on goal with less than five minutes remaining in the opening stanza. Despite that grim statistic, the CBJ were presented with a golden powerplay opportunity toward the end of the period. A cross-check from Minnesota’s Yakov Trenin on Columbus forward Kirill Marchenko generated the first powerplay of the evening for the hosts.
The CBJ took the powerplay into the second period but couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity presented to them. Minnesota doubled the lead just five minutes into the period but it was challenged by Jackets head coach Dean Evason. Following a lengthy review the officiating crew led by Kendrick Nicholson and Brandon Blandina determined that goaltender interference played a role in the play and the second goal for the Wild was waved off.
Trenin found his way to the penalty box once more in the period as a slash on CBJ forward Yegor Chinakhov was ruled a double-minor and put the Jackets on the powerplay for four minutes. Despite lengthy possession and opportunities Columbus couldn’t score and soldier on in the contest looking to make a dent on the scoresheet.
Mats Zuccarello added a third goal for the hosts at 8:26 in the third period. Columbus didn’t go quietly as Chinakhov got the CBJ on the scoreboard with a venomous wrist shot that beat Minnesota goaltender Filip Gustavsson low to his stick side to trim the lead to 3-1. Even though his side was down two goals, Chinakhov’s effort injected life into the fans remaining in attendance.
The Russian wingers goal was exciting but it wasn’t enough asthe CBJ fell
SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS
Following Thursday’s 10-goal affair against Buffalo, this contest was a stark contrast to what CBJ fans enjoyed earlier this week. The team never seemed to get its footing offensively and struggled with Wild players in-and-around the goal crease. Despite suiting up seven defense the CBJ couldn’t push Minnesota players out of danger areas and didn’t step to them to deny access to dangerous areas.
UP NEXT
Columbus looks to rebound when it welcomes the Toronto Maple Leafs to Nationwide Arena to conclude the homestand. Puck drops at 7:30 PM.