DBJ's 5 Thoughts on Game 37: Dallas

Columbus 4 - Dallas 1
10-22-5, 5th in Central Division, 15th in Western Conference

The Columbus Blue Jackets traveled down to Big D and beat the host Dallas Stars, 4-1, in regulation.

1. MILESTONES - It was the end of a six-game losing streak.  It was the first road win in regulation in the 2011-12 season. And it was the CBJ's 10th win of the season.  So a bunch of monkeys fell off the team's back.  Let's not raise the Cup yet, but it is nice to not have those hanging over the team.

It's been a long time coming, but Rick Nash (finally)
looked like an NHL superstar tonight.

2. HEY, THAT'S RICK NASH! - Go figure.  Captain Columbus all but disappears for most of the season and then turns into something resembling the monster he was under Ken Hitchcock tonight.  He was driving, shooting, scoring (2 goals!)...doing everything a power forward should do!  (Even playing 49 seconds of penalty kill time!)  Welcome back, Rick, and PLEASE don't be a stranger.  We like it when you play like a star.

3. KID, YOU MAKE ME FEEL YOUNG - You could say the same of both Ryan Johansen (placed on the Nash-Carter line for the second straight game, 12:52 TOI, 1 assist and a +2 on the night) and John (or is it Johnny?) Moore (2 assists, 16:03 TOI and +1).  Both youngsters are getting the minutes, and they're making the most of their opportunities.  Make no mistake: The emergence of these two as meaningful contributors in the lineup is only a good thing for the Blue Jackets.

The suspect Blue Jackets defense can ill-afford to lose The Wiz again.

4. EVERYTHING GOOD COMES AT A PRICE - The snakebit James Wisniewski took a shot from the point off his ankle, and it appears said ankle is broken.  I was talking with Mrs. DBJ when it happened and distinctly remember looking and saying, "Wiz went down.  Get up, Wiz.  Get up.  Oh man, he's not getting up.  This is bad."  It was.  Here's hoping the injury isn't as severe as the shot looked.  (On a side note, the CBJ were forced to shuffle five defensemen for the balance of the game and actually held up under pressure.

5.  SO THIS IS WHAT WINNING FEELS LIKE - This is odd.  I'm kinda...happy.  We're still in the NHL sub-basement, but it doesn't feel so bad.  Amazing what an out-and-out win can do to a guy.

NEXT UP: Saturday night, New Year's Eve, at Nationwide at 7PM against the Washington Capitals and their leading scorer, Jason Chimera.