The Jackets came into Carolina just having traded quite possibly their best center in franchise history for the young defenseman, Seth Jones. They opened up the tilt against the ‘Canes with an energy that unfortunately didn’t last into the second frame of the game. After a hard fought game in which both Brandon Saad and Nick Foligno suffered some scary impacts, the Jackets succumbed to the Canes in the first game of a home and home series against Carolina.

Things that make you feel rad:

• The Blue Jackets managed to keep up with the Hurricanes, suffering a significant deficit in a 40% shot differential that the Jackets fought to bring up to even after the 3,600th tick of the game clock. (BLAH BLAH SCORE EFFECTS AT LEAST THEY WERE TRYING)
• Seth Jones looks really good in a Blue Jackets uniform; and it was neat watching him swagger his way on the ice. One thing that I personally noticed is that Jones seemed impressively quick on his feet; something that the Jackets have been looking for in the way of defensemen. Glad we have him.
• The CBJ’s were getting plenty of good looks against the Canes, but pucks weren’t doing their part to stay on the sticks long enough or settle down quickly enough

Things that make you feel bad:

• Saad and Foligno had scares tonight. Foligno was hit high in the second period and one would THINK that a suspension would be coming. Sucks to see that stuff happening.
• The Blue Jackets are still really bad at hockey more than they are good at hockey.
• The important goals were both deflections. Poor Forsberg had a save percentage in the .940’s before coming into this game in, admittedly, 2 games and got stuck with a sub .900 performance today that might not be entirely his fault.
• That missed goal call hurt stupendously. I mean, it’s one thing to avoid tying the game, but to have the momentum swing so quickly that Carolina scored the back-breaker less than a minute after? C’mon ref!
• Johansen had a goal on his first shot as a Nashville Predator, which means that Nashville has won the trade and will probably win the Stanley Cup this year.
• Losing sucks a lot

The Jackets play again tomorrow night in the Arch City against these same Carolina Hurricanes. Expect thrills, chills, and 5 players you care about to get hurt.