Blue Jackets hope ‘big man’ Nylander establishes himself
The Blue Jackets are Alexander Nylander’s fourth NHL team since he was drafted with the eighth overall pick of the 2016 draft by the Sabres.
On Thursday, Columbus acquired him from Pittsburgh for winger Emil Bemstrom and a sixth-round draft pick, which will turn into a thirdrounder if Bemstrom scores six goals for the Penguins.
Nylander was playing for Scranton in the American Hockey League and arrived in Columbus Friday afternoon. He did not play that night against Buffalo.
“We’re not sure exactly what’s going to happen, but he certainly is going to get a chance to prove himself,” Vincent said. “He’s a big man. He’s got skills.
“I think it was a win-win for both sides. You’re not trading for a fully established player, but two players that could establish themselves.”
Blue Jackets fail to find traction
A two-game winning streak hardly bears mentioning for most NHL teams.
For the Blue Jackets, it’s been a monumental hurdle since before Thanksgiving.
Eleven consecutive times since Columbus won on November 22 and 24 heading into Friday night’s game against Buffalo, the Jackets had followed a victory with a loss.
Make it 12 in a row. A standingroom-only crowd of 18,943 at Nationwide Arena saw the Blue Jackets lose to the Sabres 2-1.
“You’ve got to try to find a groove and keep rolling every single game,”
left wing Johnny Gaudreau said, “and once you feel comfortable and confident and you’re playing well as a team, you’ve got to do it again the next night and the next night. Obviously, we’re not there yet.”
Gaudreau becomes a dad again
Johnny Edward Gaudreau was born in Columbus on Thursday evening. He is Johnny and Meredith Gaudreau’s second child, joining sister Noah, and the Blue Jackets moved up their travel plans to enable the proud father to get back in time for it.
The Jackets’ plane was scheduled to leave California late Thursday morning, while Gaudreau was booked on a 6 a.m. commercial flight.
According to Vincent, team captain Boone Jenner decided the team should leave earlier so Gaudreau could fly with his teammates and avoid risking a delay.
Sabres 2, Blue Jackets 1
Buffalo 1 0 1 – 2
Columbus 1 0 0 – 1
First Period: 1, Columbus, Voronkov 15 (Provorov, Marchenko), 12:05 (pp). 2, Buffalo, Girgensons 6 (Okposo, Clague), 16:16. Penalties: Kuraly, CBJ (Tripping), 3:35; Buffalo bench, served by Skinner (Hooking), 7:39; Jenner, CBJ (Tripping), 7:52; Dahlin, BUF (Holding Stick), 10:30.
Second Period: None. Penalties: Clague, BUF (Hooking), 10:00; Severson, CBJ (Holding), 15:26; Voronkov, CBJ (Tripping), 18:36. Third Period: 3, Buffalo, Clifton 1 (Benson, Bryson), 3:05. Penalties: Werenski, CBJ (Interference), 20:00.
Shots on Goal: Buffalo 16-13-9, 38. Columbus 11-8-7, 26.
Power-play opportunities: Buffalo 0 of 4; Columbus 1 of 3.
Goalies: Buffalo, Luukkonen 16-14-2 (26 shots-25 saves). Columbus, Tarasov 4-7-2 (38-36).
A: 18,943 (18,500). T: 2:21.
Referees: Francis Charron, Chris Schlenker. Linesmen: Shandor Alphonso, Jesse Marquis.