The Matt Duchene trade continues to pay off for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Duchene scored the game-winner for the Blue Jackets in Game 3 of their second-round series against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, further solidifying his place in franchise history after just a few short months with the team.
The 28-year-old joined Columbus in a deal with the Ottawa Senators a few days ahead of the trade deadline in February, and after using the rest of the regular season to settle in with the Ohio team Duchene took the playoffs by storm. Heading into Tuesday's contest with four goals in six postseason goals with the Blue Jackets, Duchene continued his red-hot play with a second-period marker that eventually stood as the deciding goal in Columbus' 2-1 victory.
With the Blue Jackets on the power play midway through the second period, Duchene was one of several Columbus players involved in a goalmouth scramble. At 12:42 of the middle frame, the former Senator was able to stuff the puck into the Bruins' net, giving the Blue Jackets a 2-0 lead.
Boston scored in the final minute of the second period, but Columbus was able to hold on to the victory.
SERIES. LEAD!#CBJ pic.twitter.com/Ss0pNkiYrn
— x-Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) May 1, 2019
Duchene's goal was his fifth of the playoffs, setting a new franchise record for most goals by a player in a single postseason.
#StanleyCup Playoff hockey suits @Matt9Duchene. pic.twitter.com/mWF26yZczM
— NHL (@NHL) May 1, 2019
Amazingly, Duchene had never scored a playoff goal prior to joining Columbus this season. Both the player and the team have benefited massively from the late-season trade, and they'll have a chance to add to history when the Blue Jackets host the Bruins in Game 4 on Thursday.