Defining Play: Bobrovsky stops Hamhuis in second period

In a span of 78 seconds in the third period Oliver Bjorkstrand took over for the Columbus Blue Jackets and scored twice in a 2-1 victory against the Dallas Stars.

It was a good stretch for the Blue Jackets forward, while the Stars would have like a save from goalie Ben Bishop on either shot.

While that ultimately won the game, it was a save by Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky early in the second period that set the stage for Columbus’ victory.

To be frank, the first 40 minutes of the game were dreadfully boring. The Blue Jackets locked down defensively and neither team was able to create much in the offensive zone. The goalies were good, but most of their saves were on bad angle shots or attempts from business.

The exception was Bobrovsky’s save on Dan Hamhuis five minutes into the second period. It’s a save that could have been a big moment for the Stars, and would have likely given them a 1-0 lead heading into the third period.

* @JayOnrait voice *

YOU'RE THE BEST ON THE FORCE, BOBROVSKY pic.twitter.com/hyID9WAUqM

— Dylan Nadwodny (@dnadders) January 3, 2018

In theory, that would have made Devin Shore’s goal a 2-0 goal early in the third period, and with a 2-0 lead the Stars likely lock down the game and Bjorkstrand doesn’t get the chance to score twice in a span of 78 seconds.

So, let’s take a deeper look at that save, and how the Stars nearly went ahead 1-0 earlier in the game.

It’s a nice zone entry by the line of Jason Spezza, Alexander Radulov, and Mattias Janmark. Spezza avoided a check and Hamhuis has jumped into the play, forming a 3-on-1 in front of the Blue Jackets net.

Radulov makes the smart pass to Janmark, who is going to the far post.

This is where Janmark makes the quick decision to pass back to Hamhuis, who has driven the center of the ice. In theory Janmark could have taken a shot himself, but because of his body position and angle in tight he opts to make the pass to Hamhuis.

Bobrovsky uses his post to advantage and pushes back to the middle of the net. Typically a goalie can’t push back in this situation, his skate blade is off the ice, but he does a good job of using the net to push back and get to the center of the net.

At the same time this pushes the net off it’s moorings, while the net had come off, there likely would have been a review and goal still would have counted since the goalie dislodged the net.

However, Hamhuis isn’t able to elevate the puck and can’t get the quick shot off right away, the slight hesitation allows Bobrovsky’s movement to pay off and he makes the pad save.