Zach Werenski scores in OT, fuels Jackets in thriller over Lightning

Field Level Media|published: Thu 21st November, 22:17 2024

Nov 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins (90) makes a glove save as Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38) looks for a rebound during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images

Zach Werenski capped a five-point night with his goal 1:26 into overtime, and the Columbus Blue Jackets rallied for a 7-6 victory over the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday.

Werenski, who scored when the teams combined for six goals in the second and had three assists, sent an open wrister past Lightning netminder Jonas Johansson (36 saves) in the early stages of overtime to help Columbus overcome a 3-0 hole and win for the third time in four games. Sean Monahan had a goal with three assists and Kent Johnson scored twice in his return from missing 14 games due to a shoulder issue for the Blue Jackets.

Nikita Kucherov had three assists for the Lightning, who struggled defensively after allowing three goals combined in winning the previous three games.

On the power play just 1:51 into the game, Kucherov got the rebound from Jake Guentzel's shot and sent the puck for Brayden Point to drill past Columbus' Elvis Merzlikins (24 saves) to open the scoring. A little more than two minutes later, Kucherov sent another rebound that Brandon Hagel buried.

The Lightning made it 3-0 with 8:08 remaining in the first. Victor Hedman's shot was deflected in by ex-Blue Jacket Cam Atkinson, who scored his first of the season.

Columbus finally answered with 6:25 left in the first. Damon Severson's shot went wide of the net but caromed off the friendly end board for Monahan to convert.

Columbus got within 3-2 just 28 seconds into the second via Dmitri Voronkov's breakaway goal. Then Johnson notched a power-play goal from the circle to tie it at 1:55 into the period.

Tampa Bay regained the lead 16 seconds later when Mitchell Chaffee batted in the rebound of Conor Geekie's shot. But, a little more than 1:30 later, Columbus made it 4-4 on Werenski's wrister. Columbus took the lead via Yegor Chinakhov's breakaway score at 5:26 of the period.

Tampa Bay, though, tied it when Anthony Cirelli scored on the transition with 12:52 left in the second.

Columbus went ahead on Johnson's short-hander with 8:21 left in regulation. But, the Lightning answered again, while still on the same man advantage, Geekie redirected Gage Goncalves' shot into the top right corner.

--Field Level Media

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