Well. What really can be said. The Blue Jackets are fielding a patched together roster of NHL players, hopefuls and wannabe’s and each group is being asked to play perhaps a bit more than it’s used to…so you end up with what we saw. Lackluster results, turnovers, miscommunication and errant passing and a loss. You gotta feel for these guys, but the NHL schedule doesn’t care what’s going on in your locker room or on your roster – play continues. So onward we go. Let’s look at the three stars as designated by the NHL:
3rd Star: Jonathan Bernier: Bernier was not amazing but he played very well and did his job when it mattered – denying all the close opportunities that may have given the Jackets the chance to regroup and / or make the score close. Bernier had 28 saves and came just one shot shy of his second straight shut out. So, hey, the Jackets prevented that. I thought Bernier was a key part of the Leafs win, so yes, have a star.
2nd Star: Daniel Winnick: So hey, Lupul breaks his hand (Columbus shrugs in your general injury direction) and Winnick draws in. And boy did he take advantage. Winnick, like the Jackets own Jack Johnson was playing in his 500th game and had the better showing of the two. For twitter-ites, you noticed many of the Leaf-erati singing his praises and he notched the final goal of the game in a play that exemplified the night, taking the puck away from Jared Boll and turning to the net, nary a defender in sight, to score. Have a star.
1st Star: Phil Kessel: Seriously. How is this guy so good at hockey? Amanda’s brother came out again with a great game scoring the first, and assisting on two others. He’d get my vote. Woo – Leafs sweep the stars. Yay.
Game in One Picture
Stud: Ryan Johansen: This is a little bit of a stretch because, well, that game was hard to watch, but someone Joey managed to keep his point streak alive assisting on Cam’s lone goal and he also led the team in TOI – training camp, schmaining camp. It’s gotta be something to be taking this team on your, and your line’s back, so early. Saddle up, Ryan…hopefully only a week or two to go till the reinforcements arrive.
Dud: Passing: Yes. I know. Injuries, lines, shots on goal, blah blah blah. But tonight was one of the first nights the weaknesses that the roster challenges reveals. Compare the passing of this game to say, opening night, and almost every pass lacked this crispness and accuracy that is necessary to win at the NHL level. How can you enter the offensive zone if you can’t get the puck there? How can you manage shots on goal if you can’t receive the puck? How can you even keep possession if you’re constantly giving it away? Basics, basics, basics is what we need to be strong and one of those is passing. Let’s get on that.
The Jackets flew right out after the game to New Jersey where they will face the Devils at a 7p.m. tilt. The CBJ are 6-8-2 against this team all time, and 1-4-2 when in the away barn. The slide can stop any time – stranger things have happened, why not Saturday night?
Carry the flag.
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