The Columbus Blue Jackets had a two-goal lead, and were looking in good shape against the Montreal Canadiens, one of the contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Then, the Blue Jackets went on a parade to the penalty box. Suddenly, that two-goal lead evaporated. They were no longer looking in good shape. In fact, quite the opposite.
The Canadiens scored three power plays in a span of less than four minutes late in the third period to defeat the Blue Jackets by a final score of 3-2 on a historic night for Columbus defenseman Kevin Connauton.
The winning goal came from Max Pacioretty - his second of the evening to hit the 20-goal mark this season - with under five minutes remaining in regulation. He scored just 22 seconds after Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky was whistled for a boarding penalty.
The 28-year-old Dubinsky, a veteran of 513 NHL games, was critical of himself afterward.
“I’ve got to know better. I’m a veteran and looked at to be a leader in here. It was just a dumbass play. I’ve got to make sure I hold myself accountable and be better,” said Dubinsky, as per the Columbus Dispatch.
#CBJ Scott Hartnell: "We’re looking for excuses; that’s what losing teams do. You can’t blame the refs, even though you want to. "
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 15, 2015