For the fourth time this season, the Blues were unsuccessful in their quest for a season-high five-game winning streak.
The Columbus Blue Jackets edged the Blues 2-1 at Nationwide Arena tonight, picking up the game-winning from Derek Dorsett with 13 minutes, 11 seconds remaining in regulation.
The Blues' fifth four-game winning streak thus came to an end against the last-place team in the NHL. The Blues had won five straight games against the Blues Jackets dating back to last season.
The Blues had 32 shots on net, but got only one goal, a shorthanded goal, from David Backes. Backes' first-period tally, giving the Blues a 1-0 lead, was his 17th goal of the season, snapping an eight-game scoring drought.
Columbus tied the score, 1-1 with 0.1 seconds left in the period on a power-play goal by James Wisniewski. The goal was reviewed and replays showed that it crossed the line just before time expired.
After Dorsett put the Blue Jackets ahead, the Blues were hopeful they had tied the score with a last-second goal. But in the waning moments of regulation, a puck that went across the crease was reviewed and overturned, with video replays showing that David Perron knocked the puck in with his glove.
The Blues wasted a solid goaltending effort by Jaroslav Halak, who made 31 saves. They will look back to a missed scoring opportunity by Chris Stewart, who failed to bury a wide-open chance in the first period.
This was a game the Blues didn't deserve to win for several reasons, as the Blue Jackets became the more physical, aggressive team as the matchup went along.
The Blues' two-game road winning streak was snapped with the loss. The club will return home to face the New York Islanders Thursday at Scottrade Center.
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No goal. David Perron pushed the puck in with his hand.
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The Blues perhaps have tied the game with under two seconds to play. But it appears more than likely that David Perron pushed the puck into the net with his right hand.
It has been called a goal on the ice. The play is under review.
Blue Jackets 2, Blues 1 ... with 1.8 seconds left in regulation.
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The Blues have pulled goalie Jaroslav Halak for an extra attacker.
Blue Jackets 2, Blues 1 ... with 1:05 left in regulation.
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The penalty to T.J. Oshie has expired, bringing the teams to even strength.
Blue Jackets 2, Blues 1 ... with 1:33 left in regulation.
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T.J. Oshie will head to the penalty box for roughing on what appeared to be a big, clean hit.
Blue Jackets 2, Blues 1 ... with 3:45 left in regulation.
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David Backes had a strong power move to the net, but Steve Mason came up with the save.
Blue Jackets 2, Blues 1 ... with 4 minutes left in regulation.
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Looking for offense, Blues coach Ken Hitchcock has mixed up his forward combinations.
Andy McDonald is now playing with David Backes and T.J. Oshie, while David Perron is playing with Patrik Berglund and Chris Stewart.
Blue Jackets 2, Blues 1 ... with 9 minutes left in regulation.
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Columbus has taken its first lead of the game on a goal by Derek Dorsett, who has had a terrific game for the Blue Jackets.
Following a missed power-play opportunity, Columbus put heavy offensive pressure on the Blues. Jaroslav Halak made two big saves, but after the second one, the puck lay free in the crease. Dorsett hammered it home for his 10th goal of the season.
Blue Jackets 2, Blues 1 ... with 13:11 left in regulation.
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The teams are back at even strength.
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Blues goaltender made a scooping save on Columbus' Mark Letestu to keep the game tied.
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The Blue Jackets will go on their third power play after Carlo Colaiacovo is called for holding.
Blues 1, Blue Jackets 1 ... with 16:08 left in regulation.
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The Blues and Blue Jackets are underway in the third period tied 1-1.
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The second period was scoreless, keeping it a 1-1 game, but Columbus definitely took control of the momentum in the second period.
The Blue Jackets have been the more physical team through 40 minutes, leading the Blues in hits 17-11.
The Jackets pushed the play offensively in the period, too, outshooting the Blues 11-5.
Columbus's goal tonight came on the power play, tying the score 1-1 in the final second of the first period. The Blues had a 1-0 lead on a shorthanded goal by David Backes, his 17th of the season.
The Blues are 0 for 1 on the power play. The Blue Jackets are 1 for 2, and allowed the Backes' goal.
The Blues have a record of 7-3-4 this season when the game is tied after two periods.
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There was a heavy collision involving David Backes and Columbus goalie Steve Mason. Backes was driving the net as Andy McDonald threw a pass in front.
Mason was down momentarily, but appears to be OK. Backes popped right back up.
Blues 1, Blue Jackets 1 ... with 6:48 left in the 2nd period.
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The Blue Jackets' power play is over.
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The Blue Jackets are back on the power play after a delay-of-game penalty against David Backes for putting the puck over the glass.
On the last Columbus' power play, the Blues' David Backes scored a shorthanded goal.
Blues 1, Blue Jackets 1 ... with 9:22 left in the 2nd period.
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The teams are back at even strength.
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The teams will play four on four after coincidental minors against David Backes and Derek Dorsett. The two were called for roughing near the Blues' bench.
Blues 1, Blue Jackets 1 ... with 13 minutes left in the 2nd period.
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The Blues and Blue Jackets are underway in the second period with the score tied 1-1.
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The Blue Jackets beat the clock at the end of the first period, pulling into a 1-1 tie after 20 minutes.
Both goals came late in the period. David Backes handed the Blues a 1-0 advantage with a shorthanded goal, snapping a nine-game scoreless streak with his 17th goal of the season. Then with under a second to play in the period, James Wisniewski scored a power-play goal to tie the score, 1-1.
The goalie ended Halak's shutout streak at 115 minutes, 43 seconds, dating back to Patrik Elias' second-period goal in the Blues' 4-3 shootout win over New Jersey. Halak was pulled after that goal, but responded with a 3-0 shutout over San Jose Sunday.
So the Blues and Blue Jackets are even on the scoreboard, despite the Blues outshooting the Jackets 12-6 in the first period. Backes and Jamie Langenbrunner each had three shots.
Earlier in the period, Chris Stewart missed a chance for his 11th goal of the season. Stewart had a wide-open net with goalie Steve Mason out of the crease, but Wisniewski made an incredible stick save on a backhanded attempt by the Blues' right winger.
Blues 1, Blue Jackets 1 ... at the 1st intermission.
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Columbus has tied the score with 0.1 seconds left in the first period on a power-play goal by James Wisniewski.
There were exactly two seconds left when a face-off began on the right dot. Jeff Carter won the draw, Mark Letestu tipped the puck to Wisniewski, who rifled a shot that appeared to deflect off T.J. Oshie's stick on the way to the back of the net.
It was ruled a goal on the ice and the call stood after a review.
Blues 1, Blue Jackets 1 ... 0.1 seconds left in the 1st period.
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The Blues have taken the lead with a shorthanded goal by David Backes.
Columbus' Jeff Carter turned the puck over in the offensive zone. David Perron pounced on it, creating a 2-on-1 rush with Backes. Perron feathered a pass threw the legs of the Blue Jackets' Derick Brassard.
Backes went forehand and then backhand, beating goalie Steve Mason for his 17th goal of the season and his second shorthander of the year.
Blues 1, Blue Jackets 0 ... with 1:09 left in the 1st period.
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The Blue Jackets will go on the power play after defenseman Barret Jackman is whistled for tripping Derek MacKenzie on an offensive rush.
Blues 0, Blue Jackets 0 ... with 1:46 left in the 1st period.
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Columbus goalie Steve Mason made a sweeping save on Scott Nichol to keep the game scoreless.
Blues 0, Blue Jackets 0 ... with 2:10 left in the 1st period.
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A fight breaks out involving the Blues' B.J. Crombeen and Columbus' Derek Dorsett. Crombeen landed a few more shots, but each guy had his fair share.
The scrap may have been rooted in Dorsett's aggressive play against the Blues' Andy McDonald, who is playing his second game after missing 51 with a concussion.
Blues 0, Blue Jackets 0 ... with 4:51 left in the 1st period.
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The Jackets have killed the Blues' power play.
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Chris Stewart had a give-me goal on the power play, but with the net wide open, Columbus defenseman James Wisniewski stuck his stick in the middle and denied Stewart's backhander.
Blues 0, Blue Jackets 0 ... with 14:38 left in the 1st period.
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The Blues are going on the game's first power play after Columbus' Derek Dorsett was whisted for hooking. The Blues have converted four of their last 11 man-advantages.
Blues 0, Blue Jackets 0 ... with 16:13 remaining in the 1st period.
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The Blues and Blue Jackets are underway in the first period at Nationwide Arena.
