The Columbus Blue Jackets got their revenge and got it with style on Thursday night. After losing 5-0 to the Colorado Avalanche last Friday during a four game tear by the Avs, the Jackets were looking to take it to them and they certainly did at Pepsi Center.
Steve Mason was the man of the hour for Columbus, stopping every shot that he faced including some amazing saves late into to the game to maintain the shutout. Nikita Nitikin scored the first goal on a power play in the first period, a puck that deflected off of Erik Johnson and over a sprawling Semyon Varlamov. The Avalanche woke up a bit after going down so early, but never could catch up to Columbus.
The Avs looked poised to try and make a comeback several times but the air was deflated out of their tires a bit when a defensive mishap led to a goal from Fedor Tyutin. There were a few fights at that point including one from rookie Gabriel Landeskog against new Jacket Jack Johnson, but past that the action simmered down around the goals until a late, late flurry from Colorado that showcased Mason at his best. The game ended with the 2-0 scoreline.
In a lost season for Columbus, getting games like this over teams that had slaughtered them previously is about the best work that the team can provide.
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