DBJ's six-pack for game 12: Edmonton

Edmonton 3 - Columbus 1
29th in the NHL - 2nd draft pick (lottery notwithstanding)

The Columbus Blue Jackets continued their six-game home stand with a 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers in regulation at Nationwide Arena.  They played in front of an announced crowd of 14,364.

Let's call it like it is from a playoffs perspective.  At the quarter-pole of the 2013 season, the 2013-14 preseason has commenced.  Talk all you want about how the team has progressed or regressed...it will matter in October.  (Or on June 30 at the NHL draft...)

Here's to you, 2013 season!

1. Beer number one goes to the scheduling genius that decided to put tonight's game at 6:00.  Not 7:00, like the rest of the entire evening schedule less the 7:30 start for the NBC Sports Network game.  Not 1:00 or 2:00 like a true matinee.  Nope, it was 6:00 - which meant that I turned on the TV at 7:00...to see the last five minutes of the second period.  So this recap is hampered by the sad fact that I watched less than half of the game.

2. Beer number two goes to James Wisniewski.  Never mind that Wiz's play apparently was the leading cause of the first two Edmonton goals, never mind that his eggs were probably scrambled enough that he likely thought he was back playing for the Canadiens, never mind that his wife is expecting their (first?) child any minute now...he came back.  Concussions are terrible injuries with long-ranging consequences if not allowed to heal properly, so I'll let the medical staff live with their decisions and step aside so the fan-boys offer up the obligatory "Wiz is a warrior" platitudes.

3. Beer number three goes to he of the $4.6 million cap hit, R.J. Umberger, for letting an entire quarter of this abbreviated season go by before notching his first goal (and second point!) of the season.

Bravo!

Now, let's work on Mr. $4.2 million cap hit, Brandon Dubinsky (who, to his credit, has five assists to paper over his lack of goal scoring)...

4. Beer number four goes to the architect of the team defensive plan for the game.  Takes skill to hold a team of scoring-happy teenagers to 14 shots.  In fact, a slightly larger point: The CBJ defensive approach has been interesting in that it has taken teams that look pretty good in other games and occasionally made them look mediocre-to-poor.  Not every game, mind you (with some disastrous results), but occasionally.  Which is saying something when your team is 3-7-2.  Perhaps someone more knowledgeable than I (Morgan?) can elaborate.

Anyhoo, I've enjoyed watching Edmonton running and gunning in other games, and the Blue Jackets made them look downright pedestrian - if not boring.

5. Beer number five goes to the Hockey Jobu, who deserves an equal amount of credit for taking a CBJ team with 40 shots on the night and holding them to a single goal.  That shrunken-headed totem has this team's shooting psyche in a vice grip.

6. Beer number six goes to the third jersies.  Eight-bit lettering and numbering aside, those are some great sweaters. They've really grown on me.

WERE THE BLUE JACKETS OUTWORKED?  They outshoot Edmonton 40-14 and you expect me to say "Yes"?  Hell NO...which, once again, proves that effort alone won't win you games.  Or get you out of your conference cellar.

NEXT UP: The 2013-14 preseason rolls on with a visit from the San Jose Sharks on Monday night at Nationwide Arena.  Lest anyone be confused by tonight's game, puck drops at 7:00PM.

THE LAST WORD: Let's give it to Fat Axl, who reminds us what this season is all about: