Sergei Bobrovsky and the Columbus Blue Jackets came into Monday on an outstanding tear, but they ran into a brick wall in the Nashville Predators.
Nashville already brought a 2-0 lead into the third period, but things really got out of hand in the final frame.
Nashville scored three goals in 2:15 of ice time, chasing Bobrovsky with Craig Smith’s 4-0 goal and then beating Curtis McElhinney on the first shot he faced.
This has to be a bit of a shock for Bobrovsky, as the 26-year-old has enjoyed a Vezina-caliber turnaround in December. Coming into tonight’s game, he was 8-0-1 with a fantastic .940 save percentage.
That December save percentage is likely to tumble in a big way thanks to tonight’s game, and barring a miraculous comeback, the Blue Jackets will finally play a December game without recording a standings point.
Update: Columbus spoiled Rinne’s shutout bid, but Nashville won 5-1.