Bayreuther, Gerbe score but Columbus sees point streak come to an end by Jeff Svoboda @JacketsInsider / BlueJackets.com
The Blue Jackets lost a 5-2 final to Detroit on Friday night at Nationwide Arena in the penultimate game of the 2021 season.
Game in a Paragraph
Columbus played a solid first 30 minutes to take a 2-0 lead then watched the Red Wings score three times in just over three minutes late in the second to take a 3-2 lead into the second intermission. The Blue Jackets couldn t find the equalizer from there in the third, with Detroit adding two late empty-net goals to end the CBJ point streak at five games.
May 8, 2021 By The Associated Press
Detroit Red Wings (19-27-9, seventh in the Central Division) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (17-26-12, eighth in the Central Division)
Columbus, Ohio; Saturday, 7 p.m. EDT
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Blue Jackets -139, Red Wings +116; over/under is 4.5
BOTTOM LINE: The Columbus Blue Jackets host Detroit after Vladislav Namestnikov scored two goals in the Red Wings’ 5-2 victory over the Blue Jackets.
The Blue Jackets are 17-26-12 against opponents from the Central Division. Columbus has scored 18 power-play goals, converting on 15.4% of chances.
The Red Wings are 19-27-9 against the rest of their division. Detroit scores 2.2 goals per game, the fewest in the NHL. Adam Erne leads the team with 11 total goals.
2021/05/08 09:40 Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kevin Stenlund, center, watches a goal by teammate Gavin Bayreuther (not shown) between Detroit Red Wings defenseman Tro. Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kevin Stenlund, center, watches a goal by teammate Gavin Bayreuther (not shown) between Detroit Red Wings defenseman Troy Stecher, left, and goalie Thomas Greiss during the first period an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Friday, May 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon) Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nathan Gerbe, right, falls in front of Detroit Red Wings forward Sam Gagner during the first period an NHL hockey game i. Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nathan Gerbe, right, falls in front of Detroit Red Wings forward Sam Gagner during the first period an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Friday, May 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
While the Blue Jackets and Red Wings are battling for draft position and lottery odds instead of a playoff spot with last night s win, Detroit moved one point ahead of Columbus at the bottom of the Central Division CBJ head coach John Tortorella has too much respect for the game to put that battle ahead of the one the teams will have on the ice to finish the season tonight.
In other words, there will be no tanking from the Jackets as they lace em up for the final time against the Wings. Oh God, I don t know how to spell (tank) and I don t think our athletes know how to spell it, Tortorella said earlier this week.
It all ends this weekend.
The 56-game season comes to a close with a back-to-back, as Columbus and Detroit will play tonight and Saturday to finish things off. While the Blue Jackets have started to play better hockey, as the shock of the trade deadline has worn off and the depleted roster has meshed some during a five-game point streak, the team is still ready to put this season behind it.
Sure, the front office brass has taken the chance to see some new faces in new situations down the stretch, and Columbus has played with pride in recent games against a pretty strong set of opponents. Yet being out of the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16 has made for a rough finish to the season.