Blue Jackets lose 4-1 to Toronto Saturday Night; team gets 3-day Christmas Break

By Joe “Big Head” Coopersmith

GAME AT A GLANCE

THREE STARS 1^st – A. Matthews, TOR (2-1-3); 2^nd– W. Nylander, TOR (1-2-3); 3^rd– J. Danforth, CBJ (1-0-1)

GOAL SCORERS
Columbus: J. Danforth (8)

Toronto: A. Matthews (27), J. Tavares (10), PP – A. Matthews (28), SH – W. Nylander (16)

GOALTENDERS
Columbus: D. Tarasov (26 saves, L)
Toronto: M. Jones (27 saves, W)

SPECIAL TEAMS
Columbus PP: 0-for-4, 6 shots
Toronto PP: 1-for-2, 5 shots

BLUE JACKETS TEAM NOTES

The Blue Jackets fell to 7-7-2 in the last 16 games overall and 4-4-2 in the last 10 games at Nationwide Arena following tonight’s loss to the Maple Leafs.
The winning team in the series has scored four-plus goals in 17 of the last 20 games, including 13 of the last 14 meetings.
Columbus blocked 13 shots tonight and has been credited with 452 blocked shots over the past 24 contests dating back to Nov. 6 and 661 in 35 games this season.
With C Adam Fantilli’s assist tonight, CBJ rookies have now posted 16-29-45 in 35 games this season.
The Blue Jackets played their eighth of 21 Saturday games tonight.

BLUE JACKETS PLAYER NOTES

RW Justin Danforth scored a goal and now has 2-2-4 in the past seven contests. With 8-7-15 in 35 outings this season, he has set single-season career highs in assists and points. The forward has scored a goal in both games of the season series vs. Toronto (2-1-3).
LW Johnny Gaudreau registered an assist to extend his points streak to five-straight games (2-5-7) and give him 5-11-16 in his last 18 outings. He now has 7-11-18 in 26 career games against Toronto, recording 2-5-7 in his past eight outings vs. the club overall.
C Adam Fantilli tallied an assist, giving him 1-3-4 in the last four outings and 9-11-20 in 35 appearances this season. Among players to debut with the Blue Jackets, only three recorded their first 20 career points in 35 games or fewer: Zach Werenski (28 GP), Marko Dano (33 GP) and Derick Brassard (35 GP).

BLUE JACKETS POST-GAME AUDIO INTERVIEWS

MAPLE LEAFS POST-GAME AUDIO INTERVIEWS

BLUE JACKETS UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Sun.-Tue., Dec. 24 -26 No Practice – Holiday Break

Wednesday, Dec. 27 7pm ET at New Jersey Devils – Prudential Center

Thursday, Dec 28 12pm ET Practice – Nationwide Arena

COURTESY BLUE JACKETS COMMUNICATIONS

Mega Sports News