After a break, the Columbus Blue Jackets lose to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Feb. 10, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA: On Saturday, during the second period of a hockey game at Nationwide Arena, Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) scored a goal past Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90).
On Saturday night, a sellout crowd at Nationwide Arena left largely dissatisfied.
Despite having a great start, the Blue Jackets were unable to capitalize on their early pressure, gave up three goals in a row, and fell 4-2 to the Tampa Bay Lightning in front of 18,876 fans in Columbus, setting a record for attendance for the season.
While Johnny Gaudreau gave Boone Jenner two goals late in the third to keep things close, Brandon Hagel’s empty-net goal with 47.9 seconds remaining sealed the victory for the Lightning.
Jenner stated, There was a lot of momentum we had. With four minutes remaining, we found two, and while I appreciated our effort, it was clear that we were unable to locate the third.
Feb. 10, 2024; USA, Columbus, Ohio; In the third period of Saturday’s hockey game at Nationwide Arena between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning, center Boone Jenner (38) scored a goal. The game was won 4-2 by the Lightning.
Hagel led the Lightning (28-20-5), who also had multi-point performances from Nikita Kucherov (two assists), Anthony Cirelli (goal, assist), and Nicholas Paul (goal). Tampa Bay also had a goal from Steven Stamkos, helped by Andrei Vasilevskiy’s solid 33-save effort.
For the Blue Jackets (16-25-10), who lost their first game back after a break that started after a 1-0 victory at St. Louis on January 30, Elvis Merzlikins also had 33 saves.
