DBJ's 5 Thoughts on Game 26: Edmonton

Double D

The Columbus Blue Jackets fell tonight 6-3 on the road to the Edmonton Oilers, a young team that is looking very explosive.  Following a spirited round of Scott Arniel Line-up Bingo, courtesy of the DBJ, everyone settled down to watch the game.  And now, for the Dark Blue Jacket's 5 thoughts on this game.

1. Fast Start, Fast Finish - The Oil got on the board in the first 30 seconds of the game, courtesy of a Nash penalty.  Curtis Sanford had no chance on Eberle's power play goal.  The Oilers then began a push in the waning minute of the 2nd period that carried over to the third, and salted the win with 4 goals in the third period against the road weary CBJ.  Ryan Jones put together 2 nice goals with 1 bunny for a third period hat trick.

2. The Sand Man - Once again, Curtis Sanford played well.  It kinda fell apart in the third period, in his ninth straight game, and on the second night of a back to back.  But the CBJ lose by double digits if he doesn't shine.  Sanford kept them in the game in the second period with some sterling work, for example, stoning Eberle on a 2 on 1 break.

3. Derek Dorsett - Dorsett didn't have an empty net from a pulled goal tender to shoot at in order to collect his hat trick, so he had to settle for only scoring two goals.  The first, which put the CBJ ahead 2-1, was a beauty.  Dorsett collecting a whiff by an Oilers D-man, walked in and avoided the poke check by the goal tender Dubnyk, and scored the goal into the abandoned net.  The other goal was a put back of a rebound from a Marc Methot slapshot.  It was a strong game by Doors.



4. Entertainment Factor - Until it got out of hand at the end, this was a pretty entertaining game to watch.  After coughing up the early goal, the CBJ did a good job of getting themselves established and dictating the pace for most of the rest of the first period.  Mark Letestu scored a nice power play goal to get the Jackets on the board.  Dorsett followed up with a shorty, and visions of stealing another point or two in Edmonton began to surface.

5. Fail for Nail - Looking at the Oilers gives you a feel for what picking first overall can do for the skill level on your team.  This loss would be inconsequential in any normal team's season.  But with the horrible start of the Blue Jackets, its one more nail in the coffin for a dismal season.  While they have been playing some consistently better hockey, which is entertaining at times, its not going to get them anywhere.  And that is very disappointing to be saying in early December, on so many different levels.  On the other hand, I am relieved from that worry of having to figure out how I would pay for playoff tickets.  I can start saving for next year already.

A good game by the boys, but a loss nonetheless.

GO JACKETS!!