Things were good…until they weren’t.
The Jackets showed an early surprise right out of the gate tonight. The team played a solid first period in front of goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (starting his second NHL game in as many nights.) Columbus controlled possession in that first 20 (62.16% even strength) and showed poise and energy even after flying the 1,000+ miles to Dallas immediately following a Monday night game against Tampa Bay.
But then Tyler Seguin happened. And it was 4-1. Ultimately, the Jackets would fall by a score of 5-1.
Here’s the thing. Dallas is good at hockey. They are first in the NHL. Tyler Seguin is good at hockey, he’s third in points in the league trailing only Patrick Kane and Jamie Benn…who, oh yeah, is also a Star. Seguin is also fifth in goals in the league. So when you let him get loose during a line change, bad things will happen if you are not a Star. When he scores twice in 30 seconds, it’s even more frustrating.
As Brandon Dubinsky said “it snowballs backwards.”
Let’s take a look at the superlatives.
The Good. A Few Things.
It’s very hard to pull positives from a game like this. But there were a few points worth mention:
- Cam Atkinson continues to drive offensive play. He led the team in multiple categories tonight including: shot attempts (all situations) with 10, individual scoring chances with seven and he was fourth in Corsi +/- with +7. Atkinson flourishes under Torts and still is sitting at an 8.47% shooting percentage which is likely to improve, even if only slightly which should turn at least some of those attempts into goals.
- Joonas Korpisalo played two periods tonight. He let in four goals against and sat for the third (.851% SV). But he deserves a shout out for his composure coming into this situation – mind you, back to back play has historically proven to be hard on a goaltender – but one small light of optimism is welcome.
- The first period: as mentioned earlier, the Jackets led in shots on goal, scoring chances, possession.
Tortorella: “I thought our first period was probably the best period we played all year”
The Bad. Finishing.
The Jackets are currently 21st in the league in shooting percentage with 6.7%. For comparison, the Rangers and Arizona are tied for first with 9.5%. Tonight, Columbus’ shooting percentage was 2.9% (obvious disclaimer for sample size). When the Jackets got chances tonight – often wanting to capitalize on the Stars’ propensity for turnovers – the finishing wasn’t there. The goalpost came into play a few times, but the two teams were virtually tied in scoring chances (according to war on ice) 34 for Dallas, 33 for Columbus, and the Jackets just couldn’t get the goals that Dallas could.
“You wonder what happens if you finish on some of our chances,” Tortorella said.
The Ugly. Turnovers.
One goal came from a “virtual” turnover on a line change, one came via an actual turnover by David Savard. For a team looking to capitalize on their opponent’s mistakes, the Jackets made too many egregious ones of their own and it allowed the Stars to “surge,” as Tortorella said. “That’s one of their strengths.”
David, we can all relate:
https://twitter.com/myregularface/status/676970305949147137
The Jackets face the Arizona Coyotes Thursday night. The Jackets won the first match up, it’s time to see if the team can muster up the “moxie” as Tortorella said, and regain the confidence and swagger that they want to have, and hopefully pick up standing points in the process.
3rd in the league in giveaways
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