Morgan's Six-pack for Game 8: The Saint Louis Blues

Columbus Blue Jackets 1 - Saint Louis Blues 4
5th in the Central Division - 14th in the Western Conference

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us..." - Charles Dickens speaking about the Blue Jackets this morning.

The Blue Jackets played their the second bout of a six game home stand at Nationwide Arena in front of a modest crowd of 11,155 adoring fans hosting the division rival St Louis Blues.  The story lines leading up to this game were a blogger's dream.  Hitchcock vs Davidson (which is really an apples to oranges comparison), how would Davidson react to playing his former team, Johnathan Audy-Marchessault was called up from Springfield for his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets as was Tim Erixon.  Fans clamored at the opportunity for the team to bounce back after a unfufilling game in the Twin Cities.  There was so much swirling around the game that I thought it might be too much for just one blogger, or as I emailed by contemporaries prior to the game, hoped that it didn't turn into a 7-0 booty whoppin' for the CBJ. 

If these were a "C" nobody
would get one.

60 Minutes.  No Regrets.  No Excuses.  There is a reason 60 minutes is first.  Not because we miss Andy Rooney, but because you have to play all 60 minutes.  The game requires 60 minutes of RESULTS, not just effort.  The 60 minutes reference typically implies finishing strong and not giving up.  But in the case of the Blue Jackets, it's about starting strong.  Or possibly just starting. The first 10 minutes of the game zapped every ounce of hype, excitement, and pleasure out of this hockey game.

1.  Derrick Brassard - welcome to the party, I'm happy you made it, this one is for you.  Your "real" first goal was disallowed, but there was no mistaking this one.  What a satisfying way to get off the snide. Thank you for showing appropriate humility in your "down three goals" celebration.  It lets me know you're pleased with the result, but understand much more work is needed.  And yes, I did see Prospal take another shot from the corner again, just in case...

2.  The CBJ Power play - It's gone back to basics!!!  Earlier today I was asked how to describe the CBJ power play, here was my answer verbatim: There is talent on the CBJ and they can get more creative than they have been on the PP.   Their M.O. has been to set up for the one-timer from the point.  The cbj line up three forwards low, which means the PK can cover three attackers with only two killers.  At the point, the CBJ dmen start on their strong side on the face off, and then switch to their shooting side only after they have possession of the puck.  This leaves the top two Penalty killers with the only responsibility being to prevent the Dmen from getting on their shooting side.   So what did the Blue Jackets do differently tonight on their power play goal?  They Kept It Simple (Stupid) - create 3 on 2s in one half of the zone using the attack triangle to support the point men.  From the faceoff they kept "Jack N Wiz" or Wisniewski and Johnson on their strong side (lefty on left side, righty on right side) and they won the face off.  The puck goes back to Wisniewski, who makes a D to D pass to Johnson and the puck blows up on Johnson.  This draws one penalty killer to Johnson, who recovers the puck and tucks a pass to Dubinsky in the high slot.  Because Dubinksky is in the high slot and the strong side forward was drawn out by Johnson's bobble, the forward covering the other point has to account for Dubinsky in the high slot and leaves Wisniewski open in order to protect entry into the red zone.  Dubinsky feeds the puck to Wisniewski who, because he's not on his shooting side, takes a wrist shot!  Thank God!  A lucky hop puts the puck right to Dubinsky's stick in the high slot who immediately feeds the puck to a floating Brassard at the left dot.  Brassard has 10 feet of time and space inside the red zone and roofs the puck over a sprawling defender and goaltender.  This PP goal doesn't happen if "Jack N Wiz" start cranking off slappers and if the Jackets don't keep a man high and wide to form an attack triangle.  It's offense and power play 101 and look what happens 11 seconds into the power play - GOAL

3.  Steve Mason - thank you.  You came off the bench and pitched a shutout to win third star, and rightfully so.  And in case anyone is wondering, the book is out on Bobrovsky.  Lots of goals being scored on him the last couple games that include a play-by-play man saying "Bobrovsky never saw it."  From the Blues first goal it was evident they were purposely game planning to put traffic in front of him - not just playing percentages that putting traffic in front leads to goals.

4.  Tim Leroy - this bud (or piece of high-end golf equipment) is for you.  I have no idea how you and the equipment staff was able to put Audy-Marchessault in CBJ font on the back of a size 56 sweater in such 'short order', but you did it.  Kudos to you and the staff for stitching that together. 

4a. Oh, and Audy-Marchessault, good game kid but welcome to Club Tril - 1 game played followed by 12 zeros in stat columns equals club tril.  Jokes aside, you kept the game simple, in front of you, and put the team first.  Good game.  I'm looking forward to your first NHL goal, as I am for Brandon Dubinsky as well.  You carry the hopes and dreams of many small-statured early twenties right-hand shots who longed to have their name called during an NHL game.

5.  Derek Mackenzie and Jared Boll - two great heat-of-the-moment emotional fights from the fourth line.  It wasn't the snuggle fest that half visor wearing Foligno gave us earlier in the period.  YAWN.  I don't necessarily care for the staged "I'm bored, wanna go?" fights.  But the tussels you two got into were perfect.  Speaking of Foligno, if I was Jackman, I would have kept my glove on and punched that half-visor right back into Foligno's face.  Only because some over-ager did that to me once.

6.  Ken Hitchcock - The Jackets should have kept you longer than they did, congrats on what you've accomplished with the Blues.  This bud's for you.  Sins of our fathers, or Steel companies, something like that...  But, to be honest, how many times can the TV camera pan the Blues' bench and Hitchcock be the second chubbiest guy in frame?  There was some dude in a number 64 Blues jersey sitting right on the glass behind Hitchcock who was of exceptional girth and eclipsed the rotundness and extra chin-ness of Hitchcock.  Looking good out there tonight Hitch, looking good...

And now the part I know everyone is waiting for, did the Jackets get out worked?  60 minutes.  No Regrets.  No Excuses.  The Jackets got outworked in the first period, and that that's all the Blues needed.  So yes, despite signs of life in the last 30 minutes, the Blue Jackets were outworked when it mattered the most, early in the game.  The Blue looked flat late in the game more that the Jackets finished strong.  I look at the Blue Jackets so far like I look at my 11 year-old son when he comes home from school on Thursday and remembers for the first time he has a book report due at 8am the next morning.  Now he's read the book, and knows the material, but he's got a late start to complete the report with not much time remaining.  The little guy works his tail off to get that thing done, and I'm proud of him that he finally got to work with no complaints.  But alas, he has to sacrifice quality because he started so late.  When it comes time to turn in the report at 8am the next morning, the best he can hope for is a C minus given the short amount of time he's given himself.  And if his book report was about the Carolina Hurricanes, C minus probably gets you a win.  Against the central division, it gets you losses.  It also gets you grounded from the Xbox indefinitely.

The Jackets next game in their home stand is Saturday, February 2nd against the beloved Detroit Red Wings.  The loathed Wings are 3-2-1 and will be playing the second of back-to-back games, the first of which will be against the St Louis Blues.  If the Blue Jackets are able to show up for 60 minutes, the game presents itself as winnable.  If the "Late Blooming" Blue Jackets show up, it could be another 3-1 snooze-fest where the last twenty minutes shred your emotions in hopes of getting you to forget the first 20 minutes.

 

Hitch and the Jack Adams

Hitch working the bench in days gone by

As Coach Ken Hitchcock brings his power house St. Louis Blues to Nationwide Arena for the first time in the 2012-13 season, I wanted to take this moment to congratulate him on winning the Jack Adams award for coach of the year in 2011-12.  This award is well deserved, as well as Hitch's current position with an organization that thinks about hockey the same way he does.

Hitch is still the winningest coach in CBJ history by a long margin.  Richards seems to have absorbed some of the lessons he would need to have in order to make a run at Hitch, but he's still a long way away.  Hitch's coaching stint here marks the high point of CBJ hockey, much as Arniel's stint marks the low point.  We are clawing back from the low point, but it does bear mentioning that the vast majority of the players who turned on Hitch are gone.  Perhaps that purge will serve us well in the future.

Welcome back to Columbus Coach Hitchcock!  And well done!

GO JACKETS!!

JAM and Erixon Called Up!

Tim Erixon

Due to injuries to Matt Calvert, Adrian Aucoin, Cam Atkinson, and Nikita Nikitin, two players were called up from Springfield this afternoon.  Forward Jonathan Audy-Marchessault (odie-marsh-a-so), affectionately known as JAM and defenseman Tim Erixon, both fresh off of AHL All-Star appearances should break into the line-up tomorrow night, along with David Savard who has been a healthy scratch for every game so far this year.

Rob Mixer has a nice article here.

A little youthful enthusiasm and some fresh legs won't hurt this squad, and the overall speed of the CBJ just increased.  On a personal level, I've wanted to see John Moore's minutes increase, as I feel he has been playing well.  Looks like that's going to happen.  I'm not sure how these guys were paired in Springfield, whether Moore and Erixon played together, or Moore and Savard, or Erixon and Savard.  I'm sure Brad Larsen down in Springfield has some thoughts, I hope our guys have the sense to talk with him.

So far the Springfield Falcons have weathered the loss of key players, and remain at the top of their division in the AHL.  I sure hope they can continue to do that after this latest blow, they are putting together an awesome season.

Tomorrow's game should be interesting and entertaining!

GO JACKETS!!

DBJ's six-pack for Game 7: Minnesota

Minnesota 3 - Columbus 2
2-4-1, 5th in Central Division, 12th in Western Conference

Without the benefit of a morning skate due to having to travel to Minneapolis/St. Paul on the morning of the game, the Columbus Blue Jackets played the second night of a back-to-back.  The host Minnesota Wild won in regulation, 3-2.

Why does Hockey Jobu hate me so?  Why does he give Gallos and Morgan such fascinating, storyline-filled games and stick me with a game where the only noteworthy action was coming from the fourth line?  What have I done to deserve this?  I am pained, my friends.  Pained!

Hockey Jobu is a harsh taskmaster, and
DBJ clearly has to atone for something.  But what?

Still, I labor on.  Hockey Jobu be damned (oh crap, now I've done it)...I'm cracking open yet another six pack and sharing the liquid love!  And none for you, you Cuban-smoking, chicken-eating fiend!

1. The scorers - I've been railing on scoring (or lack thereof), so let's give props to those who actually found the back of the net.

1a. Mark Letestu - The fourth liner, a favorite of my ticket package partner Chris, couldn't find his way to the ice for the first few games.  When finally inserted, however, all he did was score goals in his limited minutes.  Such was the case tonight when "The Test Tube" was in the right place at the right time to jam one in past Niklas Backstrom.  And he got Big Boy minutes, logging 14:59 time on ice.  Goes to show you: You score, you play.  Coffee is for closers.

1b. Jack Johnson - Hey, a power play goal!  Johnson's dump-in from the blue line...not necessarily a booming shot, not in the least...is proof positive that if you shoot the puck at the goal, you might get it in.  Johnson did, and good for him.  Share your cold one with Letestu, Jack.

2. Team speed - The Wild roamed...wild...when the Blue Jackets couldn't jam up the ice, and it appeared to give the CBJ fits.  The Blue Jackets have a couple horses who can run with guys like these - Nick Foligno and Ryan Johansen come to mind - but largely lack the top gear.  File this under "Longer-term projects," Mr. Davidson, and let me pour you a pint of a real potent stout while you mull over how to solve this one.

3. Penalty kill - Once again, the penalty kill was perfect on the night.  If I understand correctly, the brewskie goes to assistant coach "Tough Actin'" Keith Acton, who's a bit of a PK coaching expert, and assistant coach "Dan" Dan Hinote.  I love seeing the guys in proper position, sprawling to the ice to block lanes where necessary, keeping the sticks on the ice and clearing puck after puck after puck.  It just seems like the PK fundamentals have taken hold with the club, and that's a good thing.

4. The Minnesota thoroughbreds - Mikko Koivu, Dany Heatley and Zach Parise are one awesome line, with each registering a +2 on the night.  I spent a little of the early evening catching the Rangers-Flyers game, and I'd be tempted to take the Wild's top line over the well-hyped Rangers line of Richards, Gaborik and Nash.  (Side note: Ryan Suter isn't worth the same amount of money to me as Zach Parise, at least right now.)  One cold can for the boys from the other side in a show of nothing but respect for world-class skill.

5. Jared Boll and Colton Gillies - I really don't care for fighting in hockey when it's as pointless as it looks when Boll drops the gloves, but this game all too often felt like the back end of a back-to-back...and the two guys won their fights.  So split your can, gents.

6. Todd Richards - I like the coach.  I think that's clear.  He appears to have a decent grasp of X's and O's (unlike, say, his predecessor) and speaks truth to power.  So when posed the question of whether the team needs to bring up a forward or two (presumably Springfield's Jonathan Audy-Marchessault, the AHL All-Star scoring machine), he doesn't discount the notion.  THEN he goes to the next step and calls out his supposed playmaking forwards.  You know them, they're the ones not making plays.  Richards wraps up with something to the extent of, "I hope that they're not waiting on me to motivate them."  You go, coach.  Drink a tall boy, maybe with Davidson as you two work through the speed/skill gaps.

I know the coach has one helluva bag skate in his toolkit and hope that he does not have to pull it out.  Hopefully the legend is enough for the players.  There's too little time in this condensed season to wear out the players and recover in time to play competitively.  Beyond that, it's clear that this team is neck-deep in rebuilding...and bag-skating them only ensures that you won't be the coach when things get rosier.

But jeez, Richards had a little snarl in his postgame scrum.  It was enough to remind me of what he's capable of doing.  And not that the top 9 forwards don't deserve a bag skate...

WERE THE BLUE JACKETS OUTWORKED TONIGHT: Yuppers.  In my humble opinion, Minnesota wanted this one more...and played like it.  For more on this, refer to cold ones number two and number six (above).

NEXT UP: The day trip to Minnesota finished, the Blue Jackets return to Nationwide Arena for a 7PM Thursday night tilt against former CBJ coach Ken Hitchcock and his powerful St. Louis Blues squad.  I hear that the Vegas bookies are taking bets on whether CBJ president of hockey operations John Davidson (former Blues president for six seasons) will break down in uncontrollable weeping at seeing his old team and what he spent so many years building.

A PARTING THOUGHT: Didn't you used to be R.J. Umberger?

One year ago yesterday

A year ago, yesterday, a group of roughly 300 Columbus Blue Jackets fans publicly called for an end to the team's losing culture and the installation of hockey management that could turn this franchise into a legitimate contender.

Yesterday, Jackets F.A.N.S. took what could be construed as a victory lap.  Considering what's happened since the rally, can you blame them? 

A year later, and quite a bit has changed.  Rick Nash--gone.  Mike Priest?  "Promoted" where he'd no longer provide input on hockey decisions after his crowning achievement, Jeff Carter, was traded less than twelve months after his acquisition.  The roster which finished last in the NHL for the first time in franchise history?  Largely overhauled.  Even Scott Howson now finds his authority diminished after the hiring of John Davidson.

I agree with the post's author that the changes in the Blue Jackets cannot be attributed directly to the fan protest.  At the same time, it would be naive to suggest that it had no impact on organizational urgency to right the ship.

The hard work of change is underway.  Congratulations to the Blue Jackets for making the hard decisions.  And congratulations to the fans for making themselves heard.

Gallos' Six Pack for Game 6: Dallas Stars

Tonight, in front of 10,475 sometimes agitated, sometimes boisterous fans, the Columbus Blue Jackets pulled out a 2-1 win against the Dallas Stars.  The CBJ pretty much waded into this game again, but in spite of dominating the play in the first period, Dallas had nothing to show for it.  Dallas ended the period with 9 shots on goal to the Blue Jackets' 3, in spite of the fact that the Blue Jackets had 3 power play opportunities.  After leaving the ice to a chorus of boos which was a fitting salute to the first period, the CBJ returned to the ice and gave up a goal at the 4:13 mark of the second period to fall behind.  But that was all that Dallas could muster, and the CBJ answered with goals at 17:47 of the second period, and 1:22 of the third.  After that, the CBJ played relatively effective defense, Bobrovsky stood tall in goal, and the home team pulled out a 2-1 win.  To be truthful, after the first period I was thinking that writing this recap was going to be a pretty grim job.  Instead, the boys put one together, and pulled out a badly needed win to keep from losing ground in the initial 2012-13 scramble.  The win puts us momentarily in a 5 way tie for sixth place, and keeps us in touch with the pack.  HUGE win, as the team tries to settle itself while playing a slew of games.

They taste so good after a win!

Double D

1. My first, cold frosty beverage of the evening goes to Derek Dorsett first, #becausehesawesome, and second because he scored that crucial first goal late in the second period.  This was the first of two goals that the CBJ seemed to just will past Lehtonen, who was on the top of his game.  Atta boy double D!  Doors has been one of the more consistent players this year, and his great 'hockey sense' puts him in the places where he needs to be.  Unfortunately, his skill betrays him there, and he often can't score.  Tonight he did.  The goal, a workman like effort from in close, was a huge turning point in the game, energizing the crowd and the team.  

2. My second cold one goes to Vinning!  Vinny Prospal scoring the game winning goal.  I think this one is one the Lehtonen would like to have back, but I'll elaborate later on that issue.  Vinny had the good celebration, but I think it really juiced the team.  Like most of the team, Vinny didn't start real well, but seemed to gather momentum as the game went on.

Detective Bobrovsky solves another one!

3. Bob, this bud's for you!  Without solid play from Sergei Bobrovsky, this isn't a game.  Bob was good early, and he was good late.  As the first period unfolded, and the CBJ proceeded to give up more short handed shots on goal than they were getting on the power play, Bob was called on to be steady, and he came through.  He lost one slapper from the point, but that's the only shot he didn't track well all night long.  A very solid effort, and a crucial win.  Bob is now 2-1-1 (I think, check me on that, its late).

4. My fourth, cold, frosty adult beverage is for Ryan Johansen.  Although, in what was admittedly a team effort, his play in the first period was pretty forgettable, he definitely cranked up his intensity, and was really on his game by the third period.  Although officially not credited with an assist on Prospal's goal, the reason the puck went in was that Johansen was in Lehtonen's grill, and I think he spared a glance in the young center's direction.  Johansen had already taken a shot in the sequence of play, and was steady and ready in case of a rebound.  Instead, Lehtonen lost the puck and it trickled into the net.  While I have felt that Johansen's play has gotten better game by game, I'm not sure if tonight was another step that way.  But he came on strong in the end.

5. My fifth, star emblazoned cold one is for Wiz and Jack Johnson.  Yes, they both got assists on Vinny's goal, but that's not what this beverage is for.  Its for chasing down all the stupid plays, especially in the first period, and getting sticks on the several breakaways given in the first period.  Both players got back and covered in seemingly desperate situations, and Bob cleaned up the trash.  

6.  If I was an equitable kind of guy, I'd give this to Kari Lehtonen, who made some amazing saves, including a back hand grab of a puck that was behind him.  But I'm not that kind of guy.  I'm a homer.  Sorry.  So my last beer goes to Brandon Dubinsky.  Dubi had a pretty forgettable game in many ways.  But I'm giving him this beer because late in the second period, right in front of us, one of the Stars was isolated, with the puck at the right corner of the net, Mano y mano with Bobrovsky.  All of a sudden Dubinsky comes sliding in on his belly, reaching with his stick and breaking up the play, before the Dallas player could even get the shot off.  I'm sorry, I love that kind of effort.  So well done Dubinsky!  This cold one is for you!

Dishonorable mention.  The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) that somehow managed to process Jamie Benn's permit to work in a single day.  Seriously?!  I'm pretty sure Obama heard that they were playing the CBJ so he signed it personally to help keep us in our place! (underlined italics is the official sarcasm font of the DBJ, this was not a politically motivated comment).

At the end of the day the team waded into this one, as has been their tendency.  They gathered momentum throughout the game, and finished strong to win an important game.  If they can repeat this effort, sans the first period, in either of the next two games, they will gain important points in the standings. It's all about keeping touch with the pack in this crazy period.  We'll soon find out what they are really made of!

GO JACKETS!!

Morgan's Six-Pack for Game 5: The Chicago Blackhawks



Columbus Blue Jackets 2 - Chicago Blackhawks 3
1-3-1, 5th in Central Division, 12th in Western Conference

 The Blue Jackets returned to the familiar confines of Nationwide Arena after dropping a pair of games in the Mountain Time Zone by a combined score of 9-1.  The Blackhawks rode into Nationwide Arena as the league's first 4-0 team, playing 10 out of their first 12 games on the road.  The sellout crowd of 18,381 at Nationwide Arena was certainly much more partisan than the home opener on Monday, setting the stage for a game that CBJ fans will talk about for quite some time.  I'm just going to say it, This team confuses the heck out of me.  This write up is not really a "This Bud is for you" 6-pack, but more of a six-pack of discussion points of the game.

CBJ therapy

1. My first beer goes to today's date - January 26th, 2013.  Today is Wayne Gretzky's 52 birthday, CBJ 01A defenseman Ryan Cooney's 12th birthday, and the NHL All-Star game was scheduled to be played in Columbus today.  Yep, today was that day.  #HockeyIsBack (I hope you all picked up on my sarcasm with that hashtag).  I should be tweeting pictures from a post-game private party, but I'm not...

2.  My second beer goes to Nick Foligno, the usual suspect.  By my count, Nick Foligno was called for 7 goaltender interference calls last season, and one already this year.  While the disallowing the goal was possibly the worst piece of officiating in the NHL so far this season, I can't help the feeling that anytime usual suspect Nick Foligno is around the netminder, he's guilty until proven innocent.  He did enter the crease unnecessarily (albeit it ever so slightly), but Crawford's glove BARELY comes into contact with Foligno and the goal is waved off on the spot.  The Jackets made it tougher on themselves to recover from this officiating gaffe in the third period squandering a key powerplay opportunity.  I know blowing a crucial PP opportunity in the third doesn't rile up twitter like a disallowed goal, but the Jackets had every opportuninty to get that one back.  It's also worth noting that Brassard was on the point for that PP goal that was disallowed, which leads me to my next beer...

3.  The CBJ defensive corps.  I really don't know what to think anymore.  They hold the Hawks to 8 shots in the 1st period .  Also, like in the Detroit game, Columbus completely locked down the middle of the ice in the neutral zone forcing the more skilled opponent to enter the offensive zone wide.  They executed this plan well tonight.  Then the brain farts happen:  Aucoin and Moore BOTH loose sight of Jonathan "Camel" Toewes as Letestu can't clear the zone.  Bolland doesn't score his rebound goal if Tyutin hits the net with his WTF point shot (and if Kane doesn't treat Aucoin like an orange cone along the left boards).  The defensive corp is inconsistent, and each pair takes turns disappearing or underacheiving each night.  The Blue Jackets drinking game has one rule, "everytime a Jackets defensemen takes a shot and misses the net."  ugh.

4.  My fourth beer goes to organic chemistry - I know some of my cohorts on this blog feel as if the forward lines don't have any chemistry.  If by chemistry they mean the forwards aren't swirling and swooping into the offensive zone as if weaving a tapestry of 300 team goals, then they will be waiting a long time for the chemistry to form - this is the Blue Jackets, not the late 80's NHL.  This team can't get cute with the puck - like when Anisimov dropped the puck to Dorsett in the high slot during Monday night's game against the wings, which caused me to spray beer out of my nose onto John Kemp.  They need to drive to the net hard, crash the net, and bang home goals.  I saw that tonight and I liked it.  The Jacket's aren't a offensively gifted team, especially with Atkinson being out, so this team has to play hard-nosed in the offensive zone, and they did just that tonight.  You can see this team working hard.

5.  Mason looked good tonight.  This Bud's for you.  Your glove hand was quick tonight and you had Kane's number on two key saves in the first and third periods.  It's weird to say that at 1-3-1 that the least of the Blue Jackets worries is their goaltending.  Mason made some big saves tonight that he hasn't made in the past.  Keep it up kid.

6.  The PK was a light that shined brightly again tonight, and it's a very simple and effective Penalty Kill.  The Jackets set up inside the Red Zone and put their sticks into the passing lanes.  They have quiet sticks, not the 'windshield wiper' sticks you sometimes see from fowards on the PK.  If the forwards on the top of the PK challange the points, they don't overskate the points.  The PK, while not used a bunch, kept this game close and contained Sharp, Kane, and Toewes.  The only time I notice Dubinsky was on the PK.

Were the Blue Jackets outworked tonight? Absolutely not.  Columbus worked hard all night.  Chicago capitalized on the few mistakes the Blue Jackets made.  Columbus was able to capitalize on some Chicago mistakes as well, which will go a long way this season.  The Hawks looked like Keystone Cops in front of their own net on Letestu's goal.  A goal that doesn't happen without hard work. I am a little scared that all the bounces seem to be going Dorsett and Umberger's way.  The puck is coming to Dorsett because of his hard work.  Dorsett should try a shoulder or head fake once in a while rather than getting into open space and jamming the puck into the goalies chest. And Umberger?  Well, Umberger is like a 7th year senior - he can't seem to finish.  He had a doorstep opportunity against Phoenix he couldn't jam home, and on the short-handed 3-on-2 the jackets had tonight, RJ couldn't get a handle on the biscuit.  He'll eventually start burying those, and I'm sure he'll be thinking about that missed shorty when he climbs into bed tonight.  It was nice to see Anisimov get on the board tonight, actually, it was nice to actually notice a former Ranger on offense tonight.

The Jackets next game is Monday night at home against the 2-2-1 Dallas Stars.  The Star's team stats don't really wow you a whole lot, but they have themselves 5 points already this season.  Their scoring threats up front are old - Jagr, ex-CBJ captain Ray Whitney, and Brendan Morrow.  Kari Lehtonen was part of the switch-a-roo that brought Rick Nash to the CBJ.  It's also worth noting that Lehtoen is a big time gamer, er, video gamer and his goal mask used to feature Anime or video game artwork.  He's tried to butch up a bit since going to Dallas by adding Clint Eastwood and Chuck Norris to his helmet artwork.  But still...



Production Line Hockey

Calvert, DMac, and Artie

The Blue Jackets production line of hockey continues tonight with the arrival of the undefeated Chicago Blackhawks.  The CBJ are coming off of a pretty rough road trip, where they didn't perform real well.  And the 'Hawks will be bringing a lot of speed, something that the CBJ have often had trouble with.    It should be an entertaining game, and I will be intrigued to see if the CBJ can get back to their lunchpail, grinding ways, and dictate the pace of this game. If Chicago dictates the pace, it could be a long evening.

On Monday, Dallas comes to town.  On Tuesday they play at Minnesota.  On Thursday the Blues are in town.  To keep pace with the league, the Jackets have to try to find a couple of wins in this stretch.  Its probably another week or so before they really find their legs, so I think in this stretch it is up to the AHL guys who have been playing all along to step in and make a difference.  Matt Calvert and Cam Atkinson need to bury a couple of goals.  Ryan Johansen has looked stronger with each game, and he needs to start asserting himself against these teams if we are gonna get those wins.  John Moore needs to start snatching ice time from some of the other defensemen.

I'm looking forward to this grind.  We have seen the type of rough road trip the Jackets just experienced happen many a time in the past, and it does not necessarily define the team.  The road is a rough place to be in the Western Conference.  With 3 in 4 on home ice, the Jackets need to focus on holding serve in Nationwide Arena.  If they can do so with reasonable success over the next few weeks, they will remain in the mix.  At this time of an abbreviated season, that's all you need to do.

Across the league, even though there are a few teams doing well, a lot of teams are struggling, and turning in performances like the CBJ's last two.  So long as that doesn't remain a trend, they'll be okay over the short term.  We'll have a better feel for the group at about the 15 game mark.

So get your mojo going, and come down to Nationwide Arena tonight and try to help the Jackets dictate the pace of the game!

GO JACKETS!!

DBJ's six-pack for Game 4: Colorado

Colorado 4 - Columbus 0
1-2-1, 4th in Central Division, 8th in Western Conference

The Columbus Blue Jackets wrapped up their two-game, two-night road trip with a 4-0 shutout loss in regulation to the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center.

I'm saving the entire six-pack for myself. In my opinion, no Blue Jacket deserved one. I'll probably also need it to forget what I just saw.

So let's go meta instead.  The Blue Jackets are winless since the opener in Nashville and have not yet won a game in regulation.  They were outscored 9-1 over this road trip, highlighting significant issues on both offense and defense.

Gallos' Six-Pack for Game 3: Phoenix Coyotes

The Columbus Blue Jackets took to the road to play the Phoenix Coyotes in the first of back to back games, and lost 5-1.  Steve Mason started in goal, and the first period ended scoreless.  Not a work of art, but a good road period.  As Craig Hartsburg said during his in game interview with Natalie, both teams are checking well and waiting for the other guy to make a mistake.  The CBJ scored first during the first half of the second period when Brassard cycled the puck out high and Tyutin blasted one home with Derek Dorsett cruising the slot and making traffic.  Phoenix countered with two goals, one off a turn over, the other when a seemingly bad pass bounces to the D-man and is hammered home by Ekman-Larsson.  Once the third period started, the Blue Jackets unraveled, became disjointed, and started giving up goals.

Stick tap to Light the Lamp

1.  This adult beverage goes to John Davidson, for his interview at the first intermission.  This is the type of thing that is a HUGE addition to the franchise.  You also have to remember that the other announcers are going to interview JD too, every time he's in their building.  And every time he does one of those interviews the credibility of the organization takes a jump.  I liked his perspective, that 'you have to improve, but you have to recognize that everyone else is trying to improve too".  Good stuff.

2. My second beer for the evening goes to Assistant Coach Keith Acton, for telling Natalie in an interview how bad our defensive zone breakouts were.  Unfortunately, it only got worse as the night went on.

3. My third beer of the evening goes to Steve Sullivan for his hat trick.  What can you say?

4. My fourth beer of the evening goes to Antoine Vermette who dominated in the face off circle.  Had you done some of that last year in a Blue Jackets uniform you might still be here.  Of course if you had the choice of being coached by Dave Tippett or Scott Arniel, you'd obviously take the former.

5. My fifth and sixth beers of the evening strangely had a hole in the bottom of them when I got them out of the fridge, probably stolen by an enterprising Coyotes fan.  It was that kind of night.  Plus I didn't want to give any more beers to Coyotes players, in spite of the fact that they earned them.

The CBJ came out hustling in the first period, but couldn't get anything past Mike Smith, the starting 'Yotes goal tender.  He was injured, and replaced by Jason LaBarbera, who stoned the CBJ after giving up the one goal in the second.  Steve Mason's fragile confidence shattered in the second period, and by the latter part of the third period he couldn't stop pucks that he had good looks at.  The only good thing you can view out of this game is that Curtis McElhinney is returning to play in Springfield, and if I had to take a chance on passing  Mason or CMac through waivers, I'd definitely take that chance on Mason.  We don't have a 1 and a 1A goal tender situation.  We have a 1 and a distant 3.  The good news is that we got CMac from the Yotes in the Vermette trade, so we got something out of that.  Perhaps he would make a reliable 2.

Did the BlueJackets get out worked tonight?  You betcha.  It was bone ugly.  Best forget it as soon as possible.  We'll find out what that means tomorrow night.

GO JACKETS!!