Johnny Gaudreau's best friend on the Blue Jackets scores a goal and points to the late star's name hanging in the rafters

The Columbus Blue Jackets' home opener on Tuesday night was full of emotions.

It was their first game on home ice since their star left wing Johnny Gaudreau and his brother were killed in August.

The Jackets honored the brothers with numerous honors, including raising a banner with Gaudreau's No. 13, a makeshift memorial and even being one man ahead of them on the ice.

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Sean Monahan, number 23 of the Columbus Blue Jackets, celebrates his goal in the second period against the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Arena on October 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

However, what happened in the second period could only be explained by fate.

Sean Monahan played with Gaudreau in Calgary for seven seasons with the Flames, while this would be Gaudreau's third season in Columbus.

However, Monahan signed with Columbus to team up with his best friend. However, the two would never share the ice cream in jackets and sweaters.

Gaudreau's presence was clearly felt, however, as Monahan scored in the second period and almost immediately pointed to Gaudreau's No. 13 in the rafters.

Monahan took the opening faceoff and passed the puck to the empty spot on the ice where Gaudreau should have been.

Both the Jackets and Florida Panthers wore Gaudreau jerseys with his number 13 during warmups.

Columbus Blue Jackets players warm up before the game against the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Arena on October 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

NHL legend Henrik Lundqvist reflects on Johnny Gaudreau's death: 'Such a tragedy'

Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, ages 31 and 29 respectively, were killed in late August by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles in their New Jersey hometown the day before their sister's wedding.

Gaudreau's father, Guy, joined the team for morning skating on Monday and Tuesday.

“It looked like he was just having fun,” Jackets head coach Dean Evason said. “I just have fun skating. I said to him, 'Anytime you want to come out, you're welcome.'”

Guy Gaudreau attended a Philadelphia Flyers practice last month. The Gaudreaus live just outside of Philly.

A monument honoring Johnny Gaudreau is displayed before the game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Arena on October 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

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According to New Jersey State Police, the Gaudreau brothers were riding bicycles on a road when 43-year-old Sean Higgins, who was traveling in the same direction, attempted to pass two other vehicles around 8:30 p.m. ET. and hit her from behind.

They were pronounced dead at the scene. Police said Higgins was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol. He was charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter and was booked into the Salem County Correctional Facility.

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