Sure, the CBJ will play an exhibition game on Tuesday at 1PM EST against the Malmo Redhawks, but it's hard to consider that game as an NHL-caliber pre-season game and thus won't be counted in my statistical analysis. The game could have merit related to individual performances, player injuries (getting hurt, coming back from injury) or chemistry developments, not to mention the rumored yellow and red jerseys. But let's keep it in perspective - it's not NHL competition, and it's not an NHL game.
I did a mid-preseason review after the first four games, and let's continue it with the last 4. It's a mixed bag, to be sure, but I think I can offer some spots for optimism.
OFFENSE
| Team | Total Shots | Total Goals | Conversion % | Shots/Game | Goals/Game |
| 10-11 CBJ - Full Preseason | 247 | 25 | 10.12% | 30.88 | 3.13 |
| 10-11 CBJ - Preseason games 5-8 | 112 | 13 | 11.61% | 28.00 | 3.25 |
| 10-11 CBJ - Preseason games 1-4 | 135 | 12 | 8.89% | 33.75 | 3.00 |
| 09-10 CBJ | 2,338 | 214 | 9.15% | 28.51 | 2.61 |
| 08-09 CBJ | 2,490 | 217 | 8.71% | 30.37 | 2.65 |
| 09-10 Washington Capitals | 2,693 | 313 | 11.62% | 32.84 | 3.82 |
| 09-10 Pittsburgh Penguins | 2,688 | 249 | 9.26% | 32.78 | 3.04 |
| 09-10 Phoenix Coyotes | 2,502 | 211 | 8.43% | 30.51 | 2.57 |
The obvious area for excitement is the conversion percentage - the percentage of shots that become goals. The Columbus Blue Jackets started the preseason with a conversion rate that, while not horrible, wasn't going to set the hockey world's hair on fire. In the back half of the preseason, however, the conversion percentage hopped up a few points and rivaled the percentage of the most prolific scoring team in the NHL last season, the Washington Capitals.
