Labatt What We Learned: CBJ 4, DET 1

For much of the last month, the Blue Jackets have manufactured their success by out-shooting opponents and controlling the puck possession game.
That was not the case tonight, but their goaltender played a tremendous game and they got timely goals to pick up another two points. Sergei Bobrovsky tied Carey Price for most wins by a goaltender in the NHL (15), and the Blue Jackets improved to 16-5-4 with a 4-1 win in their penultimate visit to historic Joe Louis Arena.

Bobrovsky made 32 saves and he was particularly strong in the first and third periods as the Red Wings tried to chip away at the Blue Jackets' lead. Columbus scored first thanks to a shorthanded goal from Cam Atkinson, saw Detroit tie the game on the power play, then scored two big goals in the second period after a scrap from Scott Hartnell seemed to give them a spark.

The Blue Jackets' points percentage is tied for the best in the NHL and they have games in hand on most teams ahead of them. They have a quick turnaround now, heading home to face the red-hot New York Islanders on Saturday night at Nationwide Arena.
Here's what we learned:
Bob was Bob: Columbus got through this game with a power play opportunity, but the Red Wings looked dangerous on their chances with the man advantage. They tried to get pucks through from the center point and also tried creating offense from the half wall and goal line, with a consistent pattern of havoc and traffic in the crease. Bobrovsky kept the game under control and bailed out a few mistakes by his teammates, all part of a very Bobrovsky-like performance that we've seen so many times in his career.
"Bob certainly was a big part of our win tonight," said head coach John Tortorella. "We had problems controlling their speed. I don't think we checked well at all until the third period. We struggled with their speed. I don't think we were that sharp the first couple of periods."
Hartsy steps up: Hartnell's been around a while, and he knows when his team needs an injection of energy. Not only was he standing up for a teammate and responding to a hit that he didn't agree with, but Hartnell was sending a message to the rest of the Blue Jackets that their level needed to elevate. That message was received; the Blue Jackets scored two quick goals within seven minutes of Hartnell's scrap with Steve Ott and they carried a 3-1 lead into the dressing room after two periods.
"That's part of his game. He's played pretty well of late," Tortorella said of Hartnell. "He knew we just weren't sharp."
"It was a weird game," said Brandon Dubinsky, who was credited with the game-winning goal. "There wasn't a whole lot of momentum. We just kept with it. That's the sign of a good team. Tonight wasn't our best, but that's why you have one of the best goalies in the league."

Finally, #SedsyCat pounces: How many chances has Lukas Sedlak had to score his first NHL goal? He'd already seen rookie teammates Zach Werenski and Markus Nutivaara score their first career goals this season, and despite a handful of chances along the way, Sedlak wasn't able to cash in - until tonight. Tortorella said he could see the missed opportunities start to affect Sedlak, who has played primarily in a checking role and been part of an effective fourth line. His goal at 13:30 of the second period was huge for the Blue Jackets, who got a little breathing room and got another offensive contribution from their fourth line. Sam Gagner also chipped in an empty-netter, his team-leading 11th goal of the season.

The reaction on the Blue Jackets bench following Sedlak's goal was almost as good as the goal itself. He's an easy guy to cheer for and has taken his solid two-way game to the NHL level after an impressive season with the Cleveland Monsters during their Calder Cup run.
"That line played well," Tortorella said. "(Sedlak has) had a lot of opportunities. You could tell he's a little nervous with the puck in those offensive situations. Everybody on the bench was happy for him."