The Columbus Blue Jackets entered Thursday night’s game against the Buffalo Sabres holding on to the slimmest of hopes to make the NHL Playoffs. They ultimately did their job to keep themselves in it for at least another night.
Jet Greaves, who was called up on an emergency basis Thursday, drove down to Columbus and made 39 saves to help lift the Blue Jackets to a 3-2 win over the Sabres. Boone Jenner scored the game-winning goal on the power play in the third period to cap a two-goal comeback. James van Riemsdyk and Zach Aston-Reese added a goal each. Rasmus Dahlin paced the Sabres with a goal and an assist.
The story of this game was what Greaves did for his team.
Game Recap
The game started with both teams looking to get their footing. After feeling each other out for half the first period, it was the Sabres that built an early lead.
First it was J.J. Peterka who beat Greaves on the rush from the left wing. His snipe was his 25th goal of the season to make it 1-0. Then Dahlin scored a beauty on a patient play. He outwaited the defender and then scored to make it 2-0 less than three minutes later.
Greaves from there took over the game. He allowed the Blue Jackets a chance to get back into the game.
With just under nine seconds left in the first, van Riemsdyk scored his 15th goal of the season on a breakaway. Kent Johnson’s clearing attempt landed perfectly for van Riemsdyk who beat James Reimer between the pads.
The Blue Jackets lost defenseman Jake Christiansen in the first period. He suffered an upper-body injury and was unable to return. Dean Evason said postgame he was being evaluated but didn’t have a status.
The second period was sloppy on both sides. The puck bounced a lot. Plays were tough to make. There ultimately was no scoring in the second. The Sabres fired 18 shots at Greaves. He stopped them all.
Greaves then shut the Sabres down in the third too stopping all 15 shots he faced. This allowed the Blue Jackets a chance to make their comeback.
Aston-Reese fired from the slot to tie the game four minutes into the third. Then with Sam Lafferty in the box for slashing, Jenner scored the game winner on the power play to make it 3-2.
Greaves got help from his defensemen throughout the night, especially when they were missing guys. Christiansen out meant the Blue Jackets played most of the night with five defensemen. Then Zach Werenski had to leave for a bit when he was slashed in the hand. He was able to return.
Denton Mateychuk took a delay of game penalty in the third which meant the Blue Jackets played those two minutes with just three defensemen. Everyone stepped up to preserve the win.
Evason indicated postgame he was not sure how long Elvis Merzlikins would miss due to his injury. When asked why they didn’t call Greaves up sooner given his season, Evason deferred to GM Don Waddell. Daniil Tarasov was the backup to Greaves on Thursday.
While the Blue Jackets remained in the race Thursday night, they can be eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens Friday if they defeat the Ottawa Senators in regulation. Any other result and the Blue Jackets will enter Saturday’s home game against the Washington Capitals still alive for the playoffs.
The Sabres now head to Florida for a Saturday evening game against the Panthers as they continue on their last road trip of the season.