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Columbus Blue Jackets roast Red Wings, 5-2, in statement win before outdoor rematch
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- Columbus Blue Jackets roast Red Wings, 5-2, in statement win before outdoor rematch
Bring on the elements .
After an impressive 5-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night at Little Caesar's Arena, the Blue Jackets will now host the outdoor rematch Saturday at Ohio Stadium in the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series matchup.
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Getting two goals from James van Riemsdyk to spark a four-goal second period, the Blue Jackets (29-22-8) made a 4-2 lead starting the third stand up in their third straight win coming out of the NHL's winter break . They also moved into a tie with the Red Wings (30-23-6) at 66 points and will stay in the Eastern Conference's second wild-card spot behind Detroit due to tiebreaker rules.
Feb 27, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Kuraly (7) brings the puck up ice against Detroit Red Wings defenseman Albert Johansson (20) during the first period at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-Imagn Images
Saturday's rematch at Ohio State's famed "Horseshoe" will be for the East's top wild card, adding even more intensity into a game that already pitted two playoff-seekers battling for key points.
Daniil Tarasov , the Jackets' backup goalie, played for the first time since Jan. 31 and earned the win with 29 saves that included a 12-of-12 performance in the third. Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner led the Jackets with three points on three assists and Kent Johnson added two points on a goal and assist, including his 20th goal for his first 20-goal campaign. Sean Kuraly and Kirill Marchenko scored the other two Columbus goals, including Marchenko's diving effort to tap the puck into Detroit's empty net with 57 seconds left for his career-high 24thgoal.
Feb 27, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing James van Riemsdyk (21) collides with Detroit Red Wings goaltender Cam Talbot (39) during the first period at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-Imagn Images
Following an exciting opening period without a single goal scored, the teams combined for six goals in the second, starting with Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat scoring 27 seconds into it for a 1-0 lead. Van Riemsdyk tied it, 1-1, at 4:16 on his first of two goals that bookended the goals from Kuraly and Johnson during the Jackets' four-goal outburst. J.T. Compher scored on a power play late in the second to pull the Wings within 4-2, but they didn't get any closer.
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Tarasov and the Blue Jackets' defensive play in front of him kept it that score to end the second and Tarasov rose up to stop all 12 shots he faced in the third.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets flatten Detroit Red Wings before outdoor rematch
