Korpisalo shutout lifts Jackets to win in opener
An awesome defensive effort and standout goaltending from Joonas Korpisalo led the Columbus Blue Jackets past the Toronto Maple Leafs in their NHL Eastern Conference Qualifying Series opener Sunday.
Korpisalo turned aside every one of the 28 Leafs’ shots and they needed every one of them as it wasn’t until an empty netter with 19 seconds to go by Alexander Wennberg that they clinched the 2-0 victory.
Teams were scoreless after 20 and 40 minutes, the game winner coming off the stick of Cam Atkinson 65 seconds into the final frame.
The effort was solid all around for the Jackets who not only stopped the potent Leafs’ attack but outshot the blue and while at the Air Canada Center in Toronto.
The Jackets snatched the game away with a 13-9 edge in shots through the final 20 minutes. Actually, after being outshot 11-8 in the first period, the Blue Jackets owned a 27-17 margin through the final 40.
The game was played almost entirely at even strength, the Jackets going 0-for-2 and the Leafs 0-for-1 on their powerplay chances.
The Jackets spread out the offense well, nobody with more than two shots in the game while Auston Matthews triggered six of the Leafs’ 28 and defenseman Tyson Barrie collected four shots.
Seth Jones logged an awesome 26:54 on the Columbus blue line, Zach Werenski more often than not right beside him with 25:20.
Oliver Bjorkstrand led all forwards with just under 20-minutes.
Game two of this series will be played Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m. (CST)
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jimmerdenhollander@gmail.com
Born and raised in Ontario, Canada and moved to the state of Wisconsin in my late 30's. I worked at various newspapers and magazines in various sports positions for 25 years before changing careers five years ago. Now I am streamlining my focus on hockey only and in particular, all levels of hockey in the American Midwest.