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Columbus Blue Jackets grind out another win against St. Louis Blues: Takeaways
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- Columbus Blue Jackets grind out another win against St. Louis Blues: Takeaways
The Blue Jackets were in retreat, playing on their heels, for most of the final 10 minutes in a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Nov. 1 at Nationwide Arena.
It was the type of game they have lost often in recent years, when late leads evaporated and a feeling that it's predestined for the Blue Jackets to lose hung around. Whether it was a prevailing thought or just a simmering notion, those watching the Jackets get pinned down by the Blues shared the same concern.
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More: Columbus Blue Jackets fend off St. Louis Blues to win fourth straight
Here we go again, right? Not this time.
Jet Greaves was strong down the stretch, making 15 straight saves to close it out after allowing a goal to Nick Bjugstad with 10:12 left to pull the Blues within a goal. Thanks to his nimble play in net and his team's effort to limit rebounds, the Jackets pulled out a win to open their third straight back-to-back.
It was also their fourth straight win, a season high, and now they've got a chance to notch a second straight back-to-back sweep Nov. 2 at the New York Islanders .
"We've been in some tight games, but we do like the fact that we're hanging around," Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason said. "Obviously, we had the lead for most of the night tonight, but we were able to just weather some storms. The maturity level of the team is real good."
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Here are more takeaways:
Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves is named the game's first star following a win over the Blues on Nov. 1.
Jet Greaves continues tandem success for Columbus Blue Jackets goalies
Most goalies prefer to play the majority of a team's games to feel sharp, but Greaves and Elvis Merzlikins keep making an alternating rotation work.
Having three straight back-to-backs helps, since most teams split back-to-back games between their goalies, but Evason and goaltending coach Niklas Backstrom have alternated goalies in all 11 games. Rather than hindering one or both, it has kept each rested and ready.
Greaves, who made 37 saves, improved to 3-3-0 with a 2.67 goals-against average and .916 save percentage through six starts. Merzlikins, who is expected to start Nov. 2 in New York, is 4-1-0 with a 2.97 GAA and .915 save percentage. Evason said one might eventually get a string of starts, but it'll likely stay this way until there's a stumble.
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"I think it's nice, both of us getting opportunities to play," Greaves said. "I think we have a good relationship with each other, where there's support, and I feel like both of us should use the practice days to get in positive work, and the games are good experiences as well. Every day, there's something positive coming out of it, which is great."
Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski shoots past Blues defenseman Justin Faulk on Nov. 1.
Columbus Blue Jackets star Zach Werenski continues hot streak
St. Louis Blues coach Jim Montgomery needed help remembering Zach Werenski's name while speaking with reporters after a practice Oct. 31 in St. Louis.
While showering Werenski with praise, he referred to the 2024-25 Norris Trophy runner-up as "No. 8," multiple times before admitting that Werenski's name had slipped his mind.
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It would have been understandable had Montgomery not also mentioned Colorado Avalanche star Cale Makar , Vancouver Canucks star Quinn Hughes and two young defensemen, Lane Hutson ( Montreal Canadiens ) and Zayne Parekh ( Calgary Flames ), by name during the same commentary.
Werenski didn't take offense to Montgomery's memory lapse, letting his play do the talking with a goal and assist.
Werenski has chipped in a goal and assist in three straight games, which ties his career high goal streak. He is tied for sixth among NHL defensemen with 10 points on four goals and six assists.
Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan (left) celebrates scoring a goal against the Blues on Nov. 1.
Sean Monahan heating up for Columbus Blue Jackets
Sean Monahan was a point-per-game player last season, which was his first as the Blue Jackets' top center. This season, despite playing solid minutes with the top line and power play, his production lagged without a point in the first five games.
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He has since gotten traction with points in five of the past six games, including his first goal to cap a power play against St. Louis for a 3-1 lead in the third period. It was Monahan's 600thcareer point and became the game winner after Bjugstad's goal pulled the Blues within a goal.
"You think about it a little bit, but at the end of the day, we're in a winning streak," Monahan said. "I've said it plenty of times, where if you win games in this league, life's usually better. It's not something you can stress over, but it's nice to put one in and nice to win the game on that note."
Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves makes a save with help from defenseman Denton Mateychuk against the Blues on Nov. 1.
Columbus Blue Jackets' special teams improving
The Blue Jackets' special teams are rounding into shape now, which they're relieved about after rough starts on power plays and penalty killing led to early losses.
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After going 1 for 3 on power plays against St. Louis, the Jackets are up to 20thin the NHL with a 19.2% success rate that includes a blistering 30.8% (4 for 13) in the past six games.
They also went 2 for 2 killing penalties to continue climbing up from the bottom of the league rankings to 29thwith a 67.7% success rate. That includes going 2 for 2 against the Blues and 7 for 8 (87.5%) in the past four games.
Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets grind out win over St. Louis Blues: Takeaways
