After a three-day holiday break, the Boston Bruins got blown out 6-2 by the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night at Nationwide Arena to begin a home-and-home.
Boston’s trip to the loss column dropped the historic franchise to 19-14-4 on the season, while Columbus improved to 15-15-6.
At the end of the opening period, Columbus outshot Boston 12-5, but the score was tied 1-1. However, the Bruins’ second-period performance was disastrous.
Boston looked flat and lacked cohesiveness throughout the period. Most of their passes missed the mark, and they were unable to sustain any pressure in the offensive zone despite registering 10 shots on Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins.
The Blue Jackets took over the game and never looked back.
Columbus tallied three goals in 2:47, giving the Blue Jackets a comfortable 4-1 lead before adding a power-play goal with 46 seconds remaining in the frame. The Dmitri Voronkov tally and his second of the game, was the third power-play goal for Columbus in the game. It was the fourth time this season the Bruins have surrendered three goals while shorthanded.
The Blue Jackets played a much more disciplined game than the Bruins, committing just two infractions in the contest. Boston was unable to capitalize, as Merzlikins stopped all seven Bruins’ power-play shots — including an amazing right-pad save on Charlie McAvoy. Merzlikins finished the night saving 23-of-25 shots on goal. Meanwhile, Boston goaltender Joonas Korpisalo’s play between the pipes was magnified by poor defense and miscues. He stopped 27-of-33 shots in the loss.
The Bruins will look to get back in the win column as the Black and Gold return home to host the Blue Jackets on Saturday night. Puck drop from TD Garden is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, and you can catch all the action, plus an hour of pregame coverage, live on NESN.
