In a series where it could have ended last night, the Columbus Blue Jackets look to be in control with the series heading back to Pittsburgh.
In an absolute frenzy for the fans at Nationwide Arena, they are excited as anybody to host playoff hockey.
It was pure domination early, and they killed all the energy that was built up early. Craig Adams beat Sergi Bobrovsky shorthanded for the early advantage on the road. A few minutes later with an advantage of their own, Chris Kunitz deflected a shot in front of Bobrovsky on the power play, to make it 2-0 only half way through the opening period.
James Neal would add another and 11:10 into the game it was 3-0 Penguins.
What transpired throughout the rest of the game has Dan Bylsma’s seat heating up a bit.
Boone Jenner got the fans back into the game with his own PPG with a little over four minutes to play in the period.
The second period was all Blue Jackets. Tallying 18 shots and just keeping the pressure on Marc-Andre Fleury. It would payoff after Brandon Sutter got a penalty for putting the puck in the crowd. Ryan Johansen wristed one past Fleury to bring the Blue Jackets within one.
Pittsburgh looked dead after the first period. Columbus continued to dominate into the third period. It would take the goalie pulled and the extra-attacker for Brandon Dubinsky to find the back of the net to tie the game. A play that was all Fleury’s fault.
“The guy dumped it in,” Fleury said. “It wasn’t that hard, so I thought I could get it. It just went over my stick, and the guy stuck it in the net.” An awful excuse by Fleury for that series of events.
Tied with 24 seconds to play, the game would go to overtime with all the momentum on the Blue Jackets side.
“It really shouldn’t happen in the playoffs,” said Crosby, who has not scored a goal in his past nine playoff games.
It didn’t take long in overtime, with the Blue Jackets dominating, 5 of the 6 overtime shots, it was a matter of time before they scored.
RJ Umberger set everything up for the game winner. Blocking a shot on his end, then finding a streaking Nick Foligno for a shot from 55 feet out, Fleury had no chance of stopping.
Nationwide and the City of Columbus had to be going bananas. I know I picked Pittsburgh, but I wouldn’t be mad if Columbus takes this series.
Game 5 is set for Saturday night 7pm EST NBCSN/CBC
photo credit: getty images gif:sohockeyeh
