The Columbus Blue Jackets home opener on Tuesday night was filled with all the emotions.

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

The Jackets honored the brothers with numerous tributes, including raising a banner with Gaudreau’s No. 13, a makeshift memorial and even icing a man short.

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

However, Monahan signed with Columbus to work with his best friend. However, the two would never share the ice in jerseys.

Gaudreau’s presence was certainly felt, however, as Monahan scored a goal 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 RESPECTS ON THE DEATH OF JOHNNY GAUDREAU: ‘SUCH A TRAGEDY’

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

Gaudreau’s father, Guy, was with the team during morning skates Monday and Tuesday.

“It looked like he was just having a good time,” Jackets head coach Dean Evason said. “Just enjoy skating. I told him: ‘If you want, you are more than welcome.'”

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

A memorial honoring Johnny Gaudreau is seen 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 bicycling on a road when 43-year-old Sean Higgins, who was driving in the same direction, tried to pass two other vehicles and struck them from behind around 8:30 PM ET.

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

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