Blue Jackets drop home opener 3-2 in OT to Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Columbus Blue Jackets dropped their home opener 3-2 in OT to defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay in front of a mostly empty Nationwide Arena on Thursday night.

COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 16: Brayden Point #21 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against the Columbus Blue Jackets on January 21, 2021 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Tampa Bay defeated Columbus 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 16: Nick Foligno #71 of the Columbus Blue Jackets is wrestled to the ice while fighting Luke Shenn #2 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period on January 21, 2021 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Tampa Bay defeated Columbus 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 16: Mathieu Joseph #7 of the Tampa Bay Lightning reacts after flipping the puck past Joonas Korpisalo #70 of the Columbus Blue Jackets for a goal during the second period on January 21, 2021 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 16: Liam Foudy #19 of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Luke Shenn #2 of the Tampa Bay Lightning battle for control of a loose puck during the second period on January 21, 2021 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 16: Joonas Korpisalo #70 of the Columbus Blue Jackets makes a save during the first period of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on January 21, 2021 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 16: Oliver Bjorkstrand #28 of the Columbus Blue Jackets is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during the first period of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on January 21, 2021 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

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Tampa Bay eliminated the Blue Jackets in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2020 in the bubble in Toronto in a series that included two Blue Jackets’ overtime losses.

The Blue Jackets scored 21 seconds into the game on a goal by Oliver Bjorkstrand with the assist by Columbus newcomer Max Domi. Bjorkstrand’s goal was the quickest one scored in CBJ home opener history.

Columbus didn’t up up a goal during the first 36 minutes but allowed two in the span of 1:23 late in the third period to take a 2-1 lead after two periods.

Blake Coleman scored the first goal for Tampa Bay on a 3-on-2 that left Coleman wide open in front of the net. Mathieu Joseph scored the second goal firing the puck past Korpisalo.

Columbus tied the game early in the third period on its first power play goal of the season thanks to captain Nick Foligno who was assisted by Bjorkstrand and Cam Atkinson.

Brayden Point scored the game-winning goal 1:56 into overtime. The Lightning improve to 3-0 while CBJ falls to 1-3-1. Columbus returns to action Saturday when it hosts Tampa Bay at 2:00.

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CBJ and Tampa Bay headed to OT tied 2-2.

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CBJ is back on the power play with just under 6 minutes left in the 3rd period.

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Nick Foligno and Luke Schenn head to the penalty box for 5 minutes for fighting.

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Here’s a look at Nick Foligno’s goal.

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Columbus ties the game 2-2 on a power play goal by Nick Foligno.

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End of the 2nd period: Tampa Bay 2 Columbus 1. Pierre-Luc Dubois didn’t play at all during the 2nd period.

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Tampa Bay scores twice in less than 2 minutes after not scoring in the first 36 minutes.

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Lightning kill a CBJ power play.

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Joonas Korpisalo with a great glove save to keep Tampa Bay from scoring. CBJ still leads 1-0.

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2nd period is underway.

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End of 1st period: Tampa Bay 0 Columbus 1.

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Bjorkstrand makes CBJ history with his opening goal.

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Blue Jackets score 21 seconds into the game on a goal by Oliver Bjorkstrand with the assist to Max Domi.

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Blue Jackets 2020-21 team introduced.

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Take a virtual tour through a mostly empty Nationwide Arena.

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Here’s a look inside Nationwide Arena as fans are not allowed to be in attendance for CBJ’s home opener.