Rewind: Werenski delivers for Columbus Blue Jackets in 7-6 OT win over Tampa Bay Lightning

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Rewind: Werenski delivers for Columbus Blue Jackets in 7-6 OT win over Tampa Bay Lightning

Brian Hedger, Columbus Dispatch · The Columbus Dispatch

Fri, Nov 22, 2024 ·

13 min read

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The Blue Jackets outlasted the Tampa Bay Lightning , 7-6, in a goal bonanza that kept a crowd of 16,260 entertained Thursday night at Nationwide Arena.

Kent Johnson scored two goals in his return from a shoulder injury, Sean Monahan had four points with a goal and three assists, and Zach Werenski ended it 1:26 into overtime with his second goal and career-high fifth point of a crazy hockey game.

Cam Atkinson scored his first goal of the season for the Lightning in the first period, but his former team got the last laugh in OT. Here's a blog timeline on how it played out:

FINAL: Columbus Blue Jackets 7, Tampa Bay Lightning 6

Saying this game was nuts would be an understatement. After 13 combined goals, the Blue Jackets come out the winner in a game that feels like a major turning point in their development curve as a young, exciting team.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) celebrates scoring the game winning goal beside Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) during overtime of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. The Blue Jackets won 7-6.

GOAL, OT 1:26: Columbus Blue Jackets 7, Tampa Bay Lightning 6

Zach attack. Zach Werenski snipes one under the crossbar and this circus show is over. Blue Jackets win. What a game.

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) take the net for overtime of the NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. The Blue Jackets won 7-6.

END OF REGULATION: Columbus Blue Jackets 6, Tampa Bay Lightning 6

This game is drunk and headed to overtime with 12 combined goals. This is all we needed is some 3-on-3 hockey after three periods on the pond. Here we go.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson (78) fights for a puck wtih Tampa Bay Lightning center Conor Geekie (14) during the second period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.

GOAL, 3rd period 11:23: Columbus Blue Jackets 6, Tampa Bay Lightning 6

Shocking development here, but the Lightning have again erased the Blue Jackets' lead in less than a minute with an equalizer. This one's deflected in the slot by Conor Geekie and it may have clipped off Damon Severson , too, before getting past Elvis Merzlikins .

Tied again in Columbus.

Columbus Blue Jackets center Kent Johnson (91) celebrates scoring a goal past Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Jonas Johansson (31) during the third period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. The Blue Jackets won 7-6 in overtime.

GOAL, 3rd period 10:39: Columbus Blue Jackets 6, Tampa Bay Lightning 5

Tough penalty to stomach sends Sean Kuraly to the penalty box, after he stumbled and took down Victor Hedman in the neutral zone. Probably should've let that one go, but it was called and the Lightning went to the power play. The Jackets, however, took their second lead of the game on Kent Johnson's second goal of the game and fourth of the season.

This is the sixth time the Blue Jackets have scored six goals in a game this season. How many games? Nineteen. Process that one.

Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Mathieu Olivier (24) skates past Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman J.J. Moser (90) during the third period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. The Blue Jackets won 7-6 in overtime.

3rd period, 6:28: Columbus Blue Jackets 5, Tampa Bay Lightning 5

At the first TV timeout, the score's still tied somehow. Since combining to score six goals in the first 6:18 of the second period, neither team has gotten another puck past either goalie. Tense times.

2ND PERIOD START: Columbus Blue Jackets 5, Tampa Bay Lightning 5

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Jonas Johansson (31) saves a shot from Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Mathieu Olivier (24) bside defenseman Jake Christiansen (2) during the second period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.

The puck's on the ice for another period of pond hockey for the Blue Jackets and Lightning.

END OF 2ND PERIOD: Columbus Blue Jackets 5, Tampa Bay Lightning 5

5v5 breakdown after two is kinda crazy in a 5-5 game. Also, they're playing hockey again.

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— Brian Hedger ( @brianhedger.bsky.social ) November 21, 2024 at 9:03 PM

Well, that was certainly an interesting 20 minutes. Six combined goals, four for the Blue Jackets, in the first 6:18 and then a 5-5 tie in the final 11:42 to bring us to the end. Shots are 29-25 for Columbus after the Blue Jackets outshot the Lightning 21-13 in the second.

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) stops a shot during the second period of the NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.

The Jackets also owned the final six-plus minutes of the period and will start the third with huge 5-on-5 advantages in Corsi percentage (61.3%), scoring chances (36-11, 74.4%), high-danger chances (13-9, 59.1%) and expected goals percentage (63.9%).

It's somewhat shocking to see numbers like that in a tied game, but that's where we're at going to the third in Columbus.

GOAL, 2nd period 6:18: Columbus Blue Jackets 5, Tampa Bay Lightning 5

This game is officially off the rails, both ways. It's 5-5 with 9:49 left in the second period and neither team looks all that interested in playing defense or preventing goals.Blog -> www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

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— Brian Hedger ( @brianhedger.bsky.social ) November 21, 2024 at 8:26 PM

Do either one of these teams want to play defense this period? Seriously. Wow. Anthony Cirelli 's sixth goal of the season cuts the Blue Jackets' lead to only 52 seconds. This is madness. Through the game's first 21:18, there were a combined 71 attempts, 36 shots and 10 goals. Just your normal night at Nationwide Arena.

GOAL, 2nd period 5:26: Columbus Blue Jackets 5, Tampa Bay Lightning 4

Hey, look at that, can you believe this? A goal. Never would've guessed this. The Blue Jackets take their first lead of the night on Yegor Chinakhov 's sixth goal of the season and second in as many games. He's a streaky one.

GOAL, 2nd period 3:41: Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 4

You get a goal! You get a goal! You, sir, you get a goal too! Goals galore!

Zach Werenski sends one along the ice to the Tampa Bay net, it deflects off something and eludes Johansson to tie the game on his fifth goal of the season.

Teammates celebrate a goal by Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) during the second period of the NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.

GOAL, 2nd period 2:11: Tampa Bay Lightning 4, Columbus Blue Jackets 3

The tie lasted 17 seconds. This second period is a bit of a mess both ways, but, hey, cannon blasts and disappointments. Fantilli makes a poor read in the neutral zone, couldn't stop a play at the red line, the Lightning got an odd-man rush out of it and then a go-ahead goal from somebody named Mitchell Chaffee , who had Conor Geekie's shot hit him in the neck and drop near his stick for a mid-air tap into the net.

Columbus Blue Jackets center Kent Johnson (91) celebrates scoring a goal during the second period of the NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.

GOAL, 2nd period 1:54: Columbus Blue Jackets 3, Tampa Bay Lightning 3

Look who ties it up on a power play. Why, it's that Kent Johnson kid, playing his first game back from a lengthy absence with a shoulder injury. One-timer under the glove, inside Johansson's body and into the net for Johnson's third goal of the season to knot it up with J.J. Moser in the penalty box for hooking.

Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Dmitri Voronkov (10) celebrates scoring a gaol during the second period of the NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.

GOAL, 2nd period 0:28: Tampa Bay Lightning 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 2

First things first. Kucherov returned for the start of the second period. That's good news for Tampa Bay. Bad news for the Lightning is that Voronkov got a blue-line breakaway on the period's first shift to pull the Jackets within a goal. Camped just outside the Lightning blue line, the Jackets' power forward took a stretch pass from Monahan and ripped a shot past Johansson's glove side for his fourth goal of the season.

END OF 1ST PERIOD: Tampa Bay Lightning 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 1

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Cam Atkinson (13) celebrates scoring a goal during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.

Interesting development during the waning moments of a period that Tampa Bay dominated. Nikita Kucherov took a slash on the hand or wrist from Blue Jackets defenseman Jake Christiansen during the final shift of the period and immediately headed to the dressing room.

The slash looked relatively benign at live speed, which is probably why it wasn't caught or called a penalty. Kucherov did drop his stick immediately and head back to the bench hunched over in pain, holding his right arm. We'll see if he returns for the start of the second. Kucherov already has two assists in this one, setting up the Lightning's first two goals with primary helpers.

After a terrible start, falling behind 3-0, the Blue Jackets finished the first period with impressive secondary numbers. According to Natural Stat Trick, they racked up large 5-on-5 edges in Corsi percentage (59.6%) and scoring chance percentage (13-6, 68.4%) and stayed even at 5-5 in high-danger chances.

They were outshot 11-8, but two of those shots for the Lightning were on the power play — including Point scoring the game's first goal.

Somehow, after not starting on time and falling behind 3-0, the Blue Jackets wound up with a couple wide 5v5 advantages in the first period against the Lightning.They trail TBL 3-1 in the first intermission. Per @naturalstattrick.com ->

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— Brian Hedger ( @brianhedger.bsky.social ) November 21, 2024 at 7:59 PM

GOAL, 1st period 13:35: Tampa Bay Lightning 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 1

Is that the sight of the Blue Jackets hearing the alarm clock buzz? After falling behind 3-0 here in the first, they finally get one back on Monahan's team-high seventh goal of the season. Assists to Damon Severson and Kirill Marchenko .

The assist increases his team points lead to 17 on six goals and 11 assists. Monahan has 7-9-16.

GOAL, 1st period 11:52: Tampa Bay Lightning 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 0

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Cam Atkinson (13) celebrates scoring a goal in front of Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.

And there's Atkinson, scoring against his former team for the second time in his career and first with the Lightning. It's also his first goal for the Lighting period, first goal of the season. A few Blue Jackets fans gave him a polite cheer when his name was announced.

Meanwhile, his former team is getting hammered to start this game.

GOAL, 1st period 3:58: Tampa Bay Lightning 2, Columbus Blue Jackets 0

The rink is lit up prior to the NHL hockey game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.

Remember all those early "10 bell" saves Merzlikins made Monday in Boston to save the Blue Jackets' collective bacon? Yeah, well, this Lightning team isn't wasting opportunities and Merzlikins had no chance to stop this one — a one-time goal for Brandon Hagel to cap a beautiful shot pass by Nikita Kucherov off Anthony Cirelli's rebound between the circles.

Ugly start for the home side.

GOAL, 1st period 1:51: Tampa Bay Lightning 1, Columbus Blue Jackets 0

Well, that didn't take long. As mentioned earlier in this blog, Brayden Point really enjoys making the Blue Jackets sting by scoring goals and racking up points against them. On this occasion, Point nets his 15th career goal and 29th point in 27 career game against Columbus, capping a power play to give the Lightning the game's first lead less than two minutes into it.

Ivan Provorov , who's usually out there killing penalties, watched that one from the confines of the penalty box after hooking Jake Guentzel . Blue Jackets trail early.

GAME START: Columbus Blue Jackets 0, Tampa Bay Lightning 0

Another touching tribute to the ongoing fight against cancer set the stage for this year's Hockey Fights Cancer Night, and now the puck's down for hockey at Nationwide Arena.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Tampa Bay Lightning lineups

BLUE JACKETS

Forwards

(10) Dmitri Voronkov — (23) Sean Monahan — (86) Kirill Marchenko

(21) James van Riemsdyk — (19) Adam Fantilli — (91) Kent Johnson

(59) Yegor Chinakhov — (4) Cole Sillinger — (24) Mathieu Olivier

(27) Zach Aston-Reese — (7) Sean Kuraly — (17) Justin Danforth

Defensemen

(8) Zach Werenski — (15) Dante Fabbro

(2) Jake Christiansen — (9) Ivan Provorov

(3) Jack Johnson — (78) Damon Severson

Goalies

(90) Elvis Merzlikins

(40) Daniil Tarasov

Scratched: RW, Kevin Labanc , D Jordan Harris

Injured: F Boone Jenner (shoulder surgery), D Erik Gudbranson (shoulder surgery) and F Kent Johnson (shoulder)

LIGHTNING

Forwards

(38) Brandon Hagel — (71) Anthony Cirelli — (86) Nikita Kucherov

(59) Jake Guentzel — (21) Brayden Point — (93) Gage Goncalves

(13) Cam Atkinson — (14) Conor Geekie — (41) Mitchell Chaffee

(28) Zemgus Girgensons — (11) Luke Glendening — (23) Michael Eyssimont

Defensemen

(77) Victor Hedman — (90) J.J. Moser

(27) Ryan McDonagh — (81) Erik Cernak

(78) Emil Lilleberg — (48) Nick Perbix

Goalies

(31) Jonas Johansson

(88) Andrei Vasilevskiy

Scratched: D Darren Raddysh

Injured: LW Nick Paul (undisclosed)

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Tampa Bay Lightning storylines

COLUMBUS

The Blue Jackets won two of their past three games over the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins by a combined score of 11-3 while losing 5-1 on Saturday in Montreal between those triumphs. Merzlikins will get back in net after picking up a win Monday in Boston with an impressive 28-save performance, while forward Kevin Labanc comes out of the lineup for Johnson to return.

The Jackets also loaned defenseman David Jiricek and forward Mikael Pyyhtia to the AHL's Cleveland Monsters on Wednesday to create a roster spot for Johnson to come off injured reserve today, which you can read about here, and prospect Cayden Lindstrom underwent a microdiscectomy procedure Tuesday to relieve a herniated lumbar disc in his lower back. Read about that situation by clicking here.

TAMPA BAY

The Lightning have won three straight games with their victories against the struggling Pittsburgh Penguins, high octane New Jersey Devils and dominant Winnipeg Jets . Tampa Bay held an optional skate, so it's unclear which goalie will get the start in net. Forward Nick Paul has an undisclosed injury, won't play and will be re-evaluated when the Lightning return to Tampa.

Along with Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman, keep Brayden Point's name in your frontal lobe. He's a proven pest when it comes to scoring goals against the Blue Jackets and scored two huge goals Tuesday in Pittsburgh — including the Lightning's overtime winner. Point, who missed practice Wednesday for an unknown reason, has 14 goals, 14 assists and 28 points in 26 career games against the Blue Jackets in the regular season.

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) defends Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Mathieu Joseph (7) during the second period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Thursday, April 8, 2021.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Tampa Bay Lightning history

All-time record:The Blue Jackets are 15-27-6 with one tie in 49 games against the Lightning, including 10-12-2 with one tie at Nationwide Arena. Tampa Bay took last season's three-game series by winning the final two games.

Last meeting:The Blue Jackets lost, 5-2, on April 9, 2024 at Tampa Bay's Amalie Arena. Steven Stamkos , who's now with the Nashville Predators , led the Lightning and all scorers with a hat trick and four points in the win.

2024-25 matchups:Nov. 21 in Columbus (7 p.m.); Dec. 17 in Tampa (7 p.m.) and March 4 in Tampa (7 p.m.)

Feb. 10, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) takes the puck up the ice while defended by Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) during the second period of a hockey game at Nationwide Arena on Saturday.

Columbus Blue Jackets November 2024 schedule, record

Here's a look at the Blue Jackets' schedule for November, along with start times, television, and radio information of upcoming games:

Friday, Nov. 1: Blue Jackets vs Winnipeg Jets (L, 6-2) ; Takeaways ; Photos
Saturday, Nov. 2: Blue Jackets at Capitals (L, 7-2) ; Takeaways
Tuesday, Nov. 5: Blue Jackets at Sharks (OTL, 2-1); Takeaways
Saturday, Nov. 9: Blue Jackets at Kings (L, 5-2) ; Takeaways
Sunday, Nov. 10: Blue Jackets at Ducks (L,4-2) ; Takeaways
Tuesday, Nov. 12: Blue Jackets at Kraken (L, 5-2) ; Takeaways
Friday, Nov. 15: Blue Jackets vs Penguins (W, 6-2) ; Takeaways
Saturday, Nov. 16: Blue Jackets at Canadiens (L, 5-1) ; Takeaways
Monday, Nov. 18: Blue Jackets at Boston Bruins (W, 5-1) ; Takeaways
Thursday, Nov. 21:Blue Jackets vs Lightning | 7 p.m. | FanDuel Sports Network Ohio | 97.1 The Fan
Saturday, Nov. 23:Blue Jackets vs Hurricanes | 7 p.m. | FanDuel Sports Network Ohio | 97.1 The Fan
Wednesday, Nov. 27:Blue Jackets vs Canadiens | 7:30 p.m. | FanDuel Sports Network Ohio | 97.1 The Fan
Friday, Nov. 29:Blue Jackets vs Calgary Flames | 3 p.m. | FanDuel Sports Network Ohio | 93.3 The Bus
November Record:2-6-1, 8th place, Metropolitan Division