(Photo Credits: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports)

By: Liz Rizzo | Follow me on Twitter @pastagrl88

Emotions were heartfelt in tonight’s game between Columbus and Boston that saw a retirement and former teammates reuniting. Former Jackets’ Captain Rick Nash (and one-time Bruin) had his number 61 officially retired into the rafters.

Photos: Boston Bruins 5, Columbus Blue Jackets 4 (SO)
(Photo Credits: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

Current Blue Jackets Captain Boone Jenner and former Captain (current Bruin) Nick Foligno squared off in tonight’s ceremonial puck drop. Tonight also marked the first time that former Bruins player Sean Kuraly would face his previous team since signing with Columbus back on July 28th, 2021

GAME RECAP

Boston got on the scoreboard first when a shot by Brad Marchand sailed through the crowd of players and was seemingly tipped in by Jake DeBrusk (15th goal of the season). High energy was evident throughout the period as both teams elevated their physicality. The Blue Jackets’ Gustav Nyquist would tie the game at one apiece as he scored top shelf (glove side) on Jeremy Swayman.

Moments later Columbus would take a 2-1 lead as Vladislav Gavrikov scored off a rebound. The first period would close out with the Blue Jackets on top.

SCORE END OF THE FIRST: BOS-1, CBJ-2

TOTAL SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-12, CBJ-6

Boston’s Erik Haula would tie the game 2-2 when he scored his 8th goal of the night at 01:51 into the second period. The B’s would draw their first penalty of the night when Dean Kukan went to the box for holding against Curtis Lazar. Despite the man advantage, no goal for the Bruins.

As the power play closed out, Boston found themselves down a player when Craig Smith was called for tripping against former Bruin Sean Kuraly. Luckily for the Black and Gold, no goal during the Blue Jackets power play.

An amazing display of athleticism was on display when Columbus’ goalie Elvis Merzlikins sprung up to avoid a crash with both Brad Marchand and Zach Werenski (who got the brunt of the crash and was slow to get up from the ice).

The Jackets went to the power play as Charlie Coyle was called for slashing against Oliver Bjorkstrand. Unfortunately, Columbus regained the lead as Zach Werenski scored his ninth goal during the man advantage. The second closed out with the Blue Jackets leading 3-2.

SCORE END OF THE SECOND: BOS-2, CBJ-3

SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-7, CBJ-8

With the third underway, Boston’s Craig Smith tied things up as he wristed his 10th goal of the season at 04:40 from a solid Connor Clifton pass.

The B’s would have a chance to take the lead as Columbus’ Oliver Bjorkstrand was sent to the box for hi-sticking against David Pastrnak. Captain Patrice Bergeron tallied his 16th goal during the power play, making the score 4-3.

As the B’s looked to close out the game, Nick Foligno was called for hooking with 30 seconds left to the game. The Blue Jackets fought back and tied things up with one second left in the final period, sending the matchup into overtime.

SCORE END OF REGULATION: BOS-4, CBJ-4

TOTAL SHOTS: BOS-12, CBJ-9

OVERTIME

Despite some scoring chances on both ends of the ice-no score during the overtime, sending the game to a shoot-out.

SHOOTOUT

ROUND ONE

CHARLIE COYLE- X

PATRICK LAINE-X

ROUND TWO

JAKE DEBRUSK-X

GUSTAV NYQUIST-X

ROUND THREE

DAVID PATSTRNAK-Y

JAKUB VORACEK-X

END OF GAME SCORE: BOS-5, CBJ-4 (S/O)

TOTAL SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-32, CBJ-24

Boston ended their six-game road trip winning five out of six games. They are now 34-18-4 and are two points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Atlantic Division. Boston is currently in the number spot for the Wild Card.

NEXT GAME: Bruins vs. Los Angeles Kings, Monday, March 7th with puck drop at 7:00 pm @ TD Garden.