Red Wings-Blue Jackets Game 2 quick take: Learning is good. OT wins are also good.

The Detroit Red Wings attempted to earn some redemption after dropping last night’s 3-2 decision to the Columbus Blue Jackets, with the teams squaring off for the second time in 31 hours.

The Red Wings blew a 2-1 lead and looked like they were bound to struggle to a 1-and-3 record after a bad Jeff Blashill challenge in the 3rd, but Anthony Mantha, Bobby Ryan* and Tyler Bertuzzi’s goals and a 22-save effort from Jonathan Bernier yielded a 3-2 OT win (after only 15 seconds of OT) and a 2-and-2 record after 4 games.

Bertuzzi scores with the *ahem* front side pic.twitter.com/tCMZLpCeyG— No Context Blinn (@NHLBlinn) January 20, 2021

In this game, your luck can change just that quickly.

Just 15 seconds into overtime, Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi combine for the GAME WINNER. We’re talking all about this one NOW on Red Wings LIVE Postgame. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/7U9yWp9OTq— FOX Sports Detroit (@FOXSportsDet) January 20, 2021

Leading up to the second game, the Red Wings’ line rushes in warm-up looked a little different, per MLive’s Ansar Khan…

#RedWings mixed up lines vs. CBJ tonight:
Namestnikov-Larkin-Zadina
Ryan-Rasmussen-Mantha
Nielsen-Filppula-Gagner
Bertuzzi-Glendening-Brome
Nemeth-Hronek
DeKeyser-Merrill
Staal-Stecher
Bernier starting
Greiss
CBJ has won 12 of past 13 vs. Wings. pic.twitter.com/agbfM7wISo— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) January 20, 2021

And the Red Wings confirmed the personnel changes:

Projected ⤵️#CBJvsDET x #LGRW pic.twitter.com/6wEvgViYCv— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2021

The Game Summary, Event Summary and Roster reports hit the web around 7:10…

And Columbus’ lines looked like this (I hope you can see this; Hedger doesn’t like me, so I’m blocked):

The Blue Jackets announced their starters early, and The Athletic’s Max Bultman weighed in on the Wings’ revisions…

Couple thoughts on these:
That first line could cause some serious O-zone turnovers.
Second line goes 6-2, 6-6, 6-5, with 2 big-time shooters.
Third line has two guys with good skill/compete blends flanking DET’s best faceoff man.

Should be VERY interesting to watch play out https://t.co/COcBH3DiMJ— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) January 20, 2021

The Red Wings caught up with the starters and scratches at 7:27 PM:

And Columbus did its Twitter roster announcement thing…

Followed by the Red Wings:

L
G
R
W
‼️ pic.twitter.com/q4gZm8YA6u— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2021

The puck hit the ice between Texier and Glendening at 7:38 PM, and Stecher chipped the puck in for Glendening, who worked down low with Brome to cycle the puck to Staal. Staal’s shot attempt was deflected “into the crowd.”

#RedWings and Blue Jackets underway. Both teams are 1-2-0 pic.twitter.com/IetfKrdMCc— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) January 20, 2021

Rasmussen, Mantha and Ryan succeeded the Glendening line, but they cycled the puck to the point again, and Jon Merrill’s shot was deflected out of play.

Columbus got the first shot on Bernier at 1:45 of the 1st period. Michael Del Zotto was able to chip a long wrister off Bernier’s blocker. Nothing came of it.

Detroit continued to roll its lines, and Nielsen, Filppula and Gagner cycled the puck some 2:30 into the game;

Pattrik Nemeth got the Wings’ first shot, a slapper from the point, at 3:18. Elvis Merzlikins made a solid stop on it.

Columbus got the first scoring chance as Bernier bumbled the puck off an easy wrist shot, and Jon Merrill had to bail Bernier out, just under 5 minutes into the 1st.

The Wings were generating possession and control, but Columbus was generating shots–they led 5-1.

The Red Wings’ new lines looked “scrambled.” The lack of familiarity with tendencies was causing some tentative play, and Columbus came closer and closer to scoring while Detroit fired point shots at Merzlikins.

Detroit’s tendency to drop pass was not helping.

Detroit’s tendency to back into their own zone as Columbus ragged the puck around the perimeter was not helping.

Bernier was helping by earning his damn paycheck as the Blue Jackets increased their shot lead to 7-3 at the 10-minute mark of the 1st period.

Filip Hronek made a LOVELY little poke check to defend against Oliver Bjorkstrand, and, soon after, the first TV timeout hit.

TELLING:

11:07 into the 1st, both Columbus and Detroit have 10 shot attempts.

Columbus has 7 shots on net.

Detroit has 3 shots on net.

The Wings got their fourth shot on net almost 12 minutes into the 1st period, with the Zadina-Larkin-Namesnikov line on ice, and Zadina almost scored when he tipped a Larkin centering pass wide of Merzlikins.

Both teams settled into a bit of a muck-and-grind style as the 1st period progressed. It was not elegant to watch.

Columbus’ Nick Foligno made a a fantastic deke-dangle-and-stop play to drop it to Texier, but Staal stifled the play…

The goalpost went PING off a shot from DeKeyser, and Detroit reduced its shot deficit to 8-7 by 16:28 of the 1st.

Of note: Troy Stecher steered Seth Jones wide of Bernier on a rush by the Blue Jackets’ defenseman, and it was a fine play by the 5’10” Stecher on the 6’3″ Jones.

Columbus’ Foligno line out-cycled the Larkin line in the last few seconds of the 1st period, and Detroit and Columbus ended the first tied 0-0. Columbus out-shot Detroit 8-7, and Columbus had a total of 15 shot attempts; Detroit had 16 on Columbus’ Merzlikins.

Through 20. #CBJvsDET x #LGRW pic.twitter.com/gRnJ3MHHkY— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2021

We’ll be honest, that period could have been a little more interesting. pic.twitter.com/nl19cfUZTy— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) January 20, 2021

A 0-0 game after one period. Jackets with zero shots on goal in the last 9:40 — got a little cute there at times instead of getting pucks on net

Shots on goal: 8-7 CBJ
Shot attempts: 16-15 DET— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) January 20, 2021

After 1 period the score is 0-0. #RedWings https://t.co/avqyJ5dnaO . . pic.twitter.com/e2xkmOlnPV— David Guralnick (@DavidGuralnick) January 20, 2021

Numbers heading into 2!@BetMGM is coming soon! Sign up early for a special offer » https://t.co/uZDCTUH3EU pic.twitter.com/dBjk5V2XTY— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2021

The 2nd period began at 8:29 PM EST, with Glendening drawing in vs. Foligno. Columbus won the faceoff and got a scoring chance before the Red Wings responded.

Responded how? The Wings got the puck into Columbus’ zone, tried to cycle, and failed in their attempts, but kept the puck in Columbus’ zone for a shift.

Columbus got the first shot of the period 1:03 into the 2nd, with Bernier stopping a short wrister from his knees.

Detroit also ALMOST surrendered the 1-0 goal to Cam Atkinson, who whiffed wide open in the slot.

  • Regrettably, the Blue Jackets responded with a 3-on-2 on their next shift, and Max Domi found Boone Jenner, who ripped a high, hard shot off Jon Merrill’s shaft and into the top corner of the net.
  • Columbus 1, Detroit 0 at 1:38.

Bend and snap. ?‍♂️ #NHLFaceOff pic.twitter.com/morHy6TRxz— NHL (@NHL) January 20, 2021

#CBJ get on the board first, 1:38 into the 2nd as Boone Jenner notches his 2nd of the season. @maxdomi picks up his 1st point as a Jacket with the primary helper.— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) January 20, 2021

  • Then Pierre-Luc Dubois took a penalty for hooking Filip Zadina at 1:52 of the 2nd…

And Detroit got SUPER LUCKY as Jonathan Bernier stopped Eric Robinson on a BREAKAWAY, and BERNIER ALMOST SLID INTO THE NET ON HIS OWN. Hronek made a terrible read and let Robinson blow by him.

(shit happens)

Larkin, Mantha, Bertuzzi, Ryan and Hronek cycled on the power play as the first unit, and Columbus did a fine job of blocking shots…

  • But DETROIT TIED THE GAME as Tyler Bertuzzi skate-passed the puck to Anthony Mantha, who tied the game 1-1 at 3:37, chipping the puck into the net off Elvis Merzlikins.

MANTHA TIES IT UP!!! pic.twitter.com/1YvZG2Y7hY— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2021

BIG TONES MEATBALL NOW FOR SALE pic.twitter.com/CWloI5ZwNB— Kyle M. (@KyleWIIM) January 20, 2021

pic.twitter.com/VnaLt3pM2Q— supernintendo chalmers (@helmerroids) January 20, 2021

Bertuzzi and Larkin got the assists on the goal at 3:37.

Detroit continued to attack hard and fast, and Hronek, Mantha and Gagner all menaced the Blue Jackets’ defense.

Mantha on the POWER PLAY! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/9N54HYQ6Fs— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2021

Anthony Mantha has deposited the “Biscuit” into the “Basket.”#LGRW pic.twitter.com/ji5Isy21U9— FOX Sports Detroit (@FOXSportsDet) January 20, 2021

Mantha had open net with a rebound off Merzlikins’ glove. His first of the season. Bertuzzi (2), Larkin (1) assisted. #RedWings. Wings now 1 for 7 on the power play this season.— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) January 20, 2021

#LGRW power play hems in the #CBJ penalty kill and with good puck movement, gets the wide open net and converts.

1-1 pic.twitter.com/ruIsPsxxNs— Alison (@AlisonL) January 20, 2021

At the TV Timeout: 12:09 remaining 2nd period. Shots 5-3 Detroit. Score 1-1.

The Blue Jackets found their footing after the TV timeout, and a turnover by Staal yielded a Domi chance, but the Red Wings seemed more determined to push the play back into Columbus’ zone.

  • Regrettably, Staal took a penalty for hooking Cam Atkinson at 8:43, right up in the gloves. So the Wings headed to the PK.

Atkinson draws the hooking call. Ref taking full allowance with that one. #CBJ #LGRW pic.twitter.com/nnOwuDf3Pp— Alison (@AlisonL) January 20, 2021

Glendening, Bertuzzi, Nemeth and Hronek formed the first penalty-killing unit, and they had a fine 45-second shift.

Namestnikov, Filppula, Stecher and Merrill worked the second penalty-killing unit, and they were bailed out by Bernier, who made a sterling glove stop on Bjorkstrand.

Jonathan Bernier with a nice glove save on Bjorkstrand. pic.twitter.com/J7UROxD9tO— Tom Mitsos (@tom_mitsos) January 20, 2021

Mantha and Larkin worked on the 3rd PK unit, and when Staal went off, Zadina joined the fray.

In all honesty, the Brome-Glendening-Bertuzzi line looked really good out there. They cycled the puck quite well in Columbus’ zone, and Brome of all people crashed the net to block Merzlikins.

On the next shift, Larkin slid the puck off the outside of the post…

  • AND BOBBY RYAN CHIPPED A PUCK OFF SETH JONES’ STICK AND OVER ELVIS MERZLIKINS’ SHOULDER TO GIVE THE WINGS A 2-1 LEAD AT 14:17.

BOBBY RYAN DOES IT AGAIN pic.twitter.com/gGZM1saByl— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2021

The answer is yes. #RedWings https://t.co/4MDm6AvAdb— Dana Wakiji (@Dwakiji) January 20, 2021

2-1 #LGRW

Bobby Ryan beats Merzlikins high pic.twitter.com/b4btUHkMiv— Alison (@AlisonL) January 20, 2021

The goal was credited to Ryan from Merrill and Nielsen, who won the faceoff.

Are…we sure Bobby Ryan didn’t figure out how to do this? He just scored his 4th goal in 8 periods since this quote. https://t.co/4C8LHZL8y1— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) January 20, 2021

May have been contact between the sticks of Ryan and Jones. Goal still counts. #LGRW #CBJ pic.twitter.com/M2X1hHIina— Alison (@AlisonL) January 20, 2021

Bobby Ryan.
So Hot Right Now.
Bobby Ryan.#LGRW pic.twitter.com/L1DKZd96u1— FOX Sports Detroit (@FOXSportsDet) January 20, 2021

What’s Bobby Ryan Up To?
Ah, nothing, just makin’ Red Wings history.

He becomes the first player in franchise history to score 4 goals in his first 3 games with Detroit. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/7pnDQpIUQR— FOX Sports Detroit (@FOXSportsDet) January 20, 2021

Bobby Ryan became the first player in @DetroitRedWings history to score four goals within their first three appearances with the franchise. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/osz2M5POLw— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 20, 2021

Keep it goin’, Bobby!#LGRW pic.twitter.com/6J8wMj9yOf— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2021

Jonathan Bernier immediately had to make some strong saves as Columbus continued to threaten on the post-goal shift…

Columbus really did a nice job of stretching the Wings’ defense out, and they were generating a fair amount of scoring chances of their own, but Detroit was countering hard and fast.

An entertaining period was had by all, and the Ryan-Rasmussen-Mantha line was FRICKIN’ HUGE…Literally.

The 2nd period concluded with Detroit up 2-1 on Columbus. Shots were 10-8 Detroit in the 2nd and 17-16 Detroit overall.

????? pic.twitter.com/blmyMPLtL2— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2021

Stay hot, Bobby Ryan! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/M7O5V11TdY— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2021

After two, it’s 2-1 Red Wings. Mantha and Ryan both with goals for Detroit that period, Boone Jenner for Columbus.

Shots about even, takeaways/giveaways about even, but Red Wings with a big edge in the faceoff circle, 20-11.— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) January 20, 2021

Bobby Ryan scores another. Red Wings up 2-0 after two. https://t.co/7yQf1WWNmj #RedWings #BlueJackets pic.twitter.com/R2HCE4srrk— David Guralnick (@DavidGuralnick) January 20, 2021

TO THE 3RD! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/0F4Ccvtel6— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2021

The 3rd period began at 9:24 PM, and Glendening, Bertuzzi and Brome ground the puck around in the Blue Jackets’ zone before retreating to center ice to change.

Michael Rasmussen was having a very solid outing.

Both teams traded shots within the first 1:11 of the period, and Bernier had to make a solid glove stop to stop a quick 2-on-1.

The teams traded really decent-to-good quality scoring chances for the first four minutes of the period, with both Merzlikins and Bernier making strong stops.

Sam Gagner made a great deke-and-power-move toward the net from the left hand side of the ice, only to be stopped by Merzlikins.

VERY REGRETTABLY, Columbus tied the game 2-2 at 5:04 of the 3rd period thanks to a Staal tip off his foot…

#CBJ ties it 2-2. Long shot from Alexandre Texier from the center point trickles through Bernier. Either went off Foudy in front or Marc Staal (leaning toward the latter)— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) January 20, 2021

2-2….

We’ll challenge.— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2021

Columbus ties it up as a point shot gets past Bernier. Red Wings are challenging for goalie interference. Foudy had his stick on Bernier when the puck arrived. Not sure if it’s egregious enough to be gltdr interference, but it’s a pretty critical goal so might be worth the shot.— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) January 20, 2021

#CBJ second goal has been changed to Foudy from Texier and Kukan.

You could clearly see the puck change direction net front, they’ll give the credit to 19 pic.twitter.com/65YtIa1Kib— Alison (@AlisonL) January 20, 2021

And it got worse.

Goal stands. #CBJvsDET x #LGRW https://t.co/AcgNdEAp0K— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2021

So Detroit went to the penalty box for delay of game at 5:04 of the 3rd period.

Bertuzzi, Glendening, Hronek and Nemeth worked the first PK unit, and the Blue Jackets got some chances, but they went wide…

Merrill, Sstaal, Namestnikov and Filppula were able to play catch with the puck and KILL THE PENALTY.

Red Wings kill it off pretty painlessly. 2-2 tie with 12:30 to go— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) January 20, 2021

Both teams tried to gain their footing and earn the crucial 3-2 goal as the 8-minute-mark passed.

Detroit was hemmed into its own zone for a LONG period of time, and Ryan was pulled down with a pulled…something…by the Columbus Blue Jackets’ defenseman, needlessly, away from play. Ryan went down the tunnel with the trainer.

It felt like the Wings were collapsing under pressure as the Blue Jackets deconstructed the Red Wings’ offensive game 12 minutes into the 3rd.

With 7:43 remaining in the 3rd period, Columbus was out-shooting Detroit 7-2 in the period.

Ryan returned to the Wings’ bench–WHEW–and tested out his groin.

Shots are 7-2 Columbus this period, so if you think that the Red Wings are collapsing a bit, as per usual, you are correct.— George Malik (@georgemalik) January 20, 2021

Ryan worked with Larkin and Mantha to try and generate scoring chances, and Gagner joined the fray, replacing Ryan, and Detroit cycled quite well with 6 minutes remaining in the 3rd period.

Merrill found Gagner, but Texier stole the puck from Gagner, and that was that.

With under five minutes remaining in regulation, Merzlikins’ puck-handling was bailing out the Blue Jackets vs. Glendening, Brome and Bertuzzi…who narrowly missed a Hronek pass…

Detroit really hemmed the Blue Jackets in, but they were able to stifle the scoring chances that line created.

With under 3 minutes remaining, Ryan, Mantha, Rasmussen, Merrill and DeKeyser then cycled the puck down low, and Rasmussen tipped a puck and then wrapped around the net, only to be stopped by Merzlikins.

With 2:29 remaining, Detroit was out-shot 7-5 in the period and 23-22 on the night. Faceoffs 22-14 Detroit.

Hronek and Nemeth of all people were getting shit done at both ends of the ice. Go figure.

And off we went…

#RedWings and Blue Jackets 2-2 headed to overtime. Wings with 25-24 edge in shots.— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) January 20, 2021

Extra hockey on a Tuesday night!@Xfinity | #LGRW pic.twitter.com/oLcwpiJZFo— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2021

CBJ 2 DET 2 (end of regulation)

SOG 24-24

ATT 53-45 #RedWings— gregg krupa (@greggkrupa) January 20, 2021

OVERTIME BEGAN AT 9:58 PM EST, WITH THE WINGS STARTING A TRIO OF LARKIN, BERTUZZI AND HRONEK VS. Atkinson, Domi and Jones.

Bertuzzi got hemmed in off the draw, but Larkin broke away and fired a shot IN?

DYLAN LARKIN PUT THE PUCK OFF ELVIS MERZLIKINS, TYLER BERTUZZI DEFLECTED IT OFF HIS ANKLES, AND DETROIT WON.

TYLER BERTUZZI OT WINNER

LET’S GO!! pic.twitter.com/bfHeoHQ6Pc— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2021

FINAL: Red Wings 3, Blue Jackets 2, OT; Bertuzzi scores 15 seconds into overtime for Detroit (2-2) pic.twitter.com/GZrOmbPX5B— Detroit News Sports (@detnews_sports) January 20, 2021

Wait, the rebound of Larkin’s shot went off Tyler Bertuzzi and went in. Still, a 3-2 loss.

Jackets are 1-2-1 as they head home Thursday to face Tampa Bay in the home opener. #CBJ— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) January 20, 2021

VICTORY CAKE pic.twitter.com/sQRzuMPymw— supernintendo chalmers (@helmerroids) January 20, 2021

3-2 #LGRW beat #CBJ seconds into OT pic.twitter.com/yXgWP6A7XD— Alison (@AlisonL) January 20, 2021

#REDWINGS WIN!!!! ??? pic.twitter.com/FBMoX1ASa8— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2021

HUBBA WHA??
HUBBA WHA-WHA???
RED WINGS WIN.#LGRW pic.twitter.com/UKcR0OgTiO— FOX Sports Detroit (@FOXSportsDet) January 20, 2021

? TYLER BERTUZZI – OT WINNER
3-2 #LGRW pic.twitter.com/enpu43gX5f— Here’s Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) January 20, 2021

Here are the game summary and event summary:

The hero! #LGRW @tylerbertuzzi pic.twitter.com/SEOWxhHWTC— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2021

A mere four games into the season, this Wings team is already much more fun to watch than last year.— Jennifer Hammond (@HammerFox2) January 20, 2021

Losing numbers. #CBJ | @PNCBank pic.twitter.com/yz46jVyLL2— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) January 20, 2021

?????#CBJvsDET x #LGRW pic.twitter.com/q4Ta2f7N9w— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2021

Photo gallery- A cathartic scream from Bertuzzi and some serious side-eye from Merzlikins can only mean one thing: An overtime win for the Red Wings. https://t.co/7yQf1WWNmj @BlueJacketsNHL @DetroitRedWings pic.twitter.com/Jh5YZDFuD0— David Guralnick (@DavidGuralnick) January 20, 2021

That one felt good.#CBJvsDET x #LGRW pic.twitter.com/LuYTNTXwUR— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2021

Good lookin’ stat line too.#CBJvsDET x #LGRW pic.twitter.com/VuypFkifmo— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 20, 2021

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George Malik

My name is George Malik, and I'm the Malik Report's editor/blogger/poster. I have been blogging about the Red Wings since 2006, and have worked with MLive and Kukla's Korner. Thank you for reading!