Monahan: I'll remember Gaudreau faceoff tribute forever

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sean Monahan had a difficult time navigating the emotions of the team's home opener on Tuesday.

"It's hard, to be honest," Monahan, a longtime friend of Johnny Gaudreau, said postgame.

The Blue Jackets and visiting Florida Panthers ran 13 seconds off the clock to commence the contest, representing Johnny's jersey number. Monahan took the opening faceoff as one of four skaters on the ice, with Gaudreau's spot on the wing left vacant.

"It was a special, special moment that I'll remember forever," Monahan added.

Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason was also moved by the moment.

"I didn't know they were gonna shoot the puck over there and put it right where Johnny would've been," Evason said. "As soon as that happened, I think it hit everybody. Hit me, 'cause then you kinda visualize him standing there, right? ... What a fantastic gesture. I don't know, I'm sure (Monahan) set that up."

Panthers defenseman Adam Boqvist was teammates with Gaudreau last season in Columbus and was similarly moved by the tributes.

"When I saw Meredith and the kids, my old teammates out there, it was pretty hard actually," he said, according to team reporter Jameson Olive. "I think they did a beautiful ceremony. Johnny is one of the best teammates I've ever had. It's hard, but they're strong, the Gaudreau family."

The start of the game was one of multiple ways the Blue Jackets and Panthers remembered the lives of the Gaudreau brothers. View more of the pregame tributes here.

In the second period, Monahan scored his first goal at home with Columbus. He pointed to Gaudreau's banner in celebration.

"I felt like Johnny was watching down on us today," Monahan said. "I had a feeling I was gonna get one. Fortunately enough, I did. We lost, which sucks, but I definitely could feel John today."

Evason praised his team for their performance despite his team's loss.

"The players handled it exceptionally well," Evason said. "Man, it was tough, and I can't imagine knowing (Gaudreau) as well as they did. And to handle how they handled it, then to go play a game against the Stanley Cup champions and play that game very well. Would we want the two points? Of course. But very proud of our team."

Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were killed by a suspected drunk driver while riding bicycles in their home state of New Jersey on Aug. 29, the night before their sister Katie's wedding.