COLUMBUS, Ohio — In an exhilarating overtime finish, Zach Werenski netted the winning goal just 1:25 into the extra period, capping off an impressive five-point performance as the Columbus Blue Jackets overcame an early three-goal deficit to triumph over the Tampa Bay Lightning with a score of 7-6 on Thursday evening.
Werenski not only found the net to level the contest at 4 during the second period, but he also contributed three assists, helping the Blue Jackets secure their second consecutive victory. Sean Monahan played a pivotal role as well, registering one goal along with three assists. Dmitri Voronkov also made an impact with a goal and an assist, while Kent Johnson returned from a 14-game absence due to an injury to score both on the power play and in a short-handed situation. Yegor Chinakhov added another goal to the mix, and Elvis Merzlikins was solid in goal, stopping 24 shots.
On the opposing side, Tampa Bay’s roster featured strong performances from Anthony Cirelli, Mitchell Chaffee, Brandon Hagel, and Connor Geekie, each contributing one goal and one assist. Brayden Point and Cam Atkinson also scored, with Nikita Kucherov proving instrumental with three assists. Jonas Johansson was busy in net for the Lightning, making 36 saves throughout the match.
Observations from the Game:
Despite an impressive start, where Tampa Bay took a commanding three-goal lead early in the game, they could not maintain their advantage as Columbus surged back.
For the Blue Jackets, this game marked a return home after playing seven of their previous eight matches away, and they capitalized on their momentum by scoring four goals in the second period alone.
A key moment came when Tampa Bay initially surged ahead with three goals in the first period, but the dynamic shifted dramatically in the second period, which became a scoring frenzy, with Columbus notching four goals to Tampa’s two.
In terms of vital statistics, Brayden Point, making his second appearance after sitting out with a lower-body injury for four games, opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 1:51 in the first period—just 23 seconds after Columbus was penalized. Point has now scored three goals in his two games back and is tied with Nikita Kucherov for the team lead with 11 goals.
Looking ahead, both teams will be back on the ice this Saturday night. The Lightning will host the Dallas Stars, while the Blue Jackets will face off against the Carolina Hurricanes.