Stars of the Night and Game in One Picture: Phoenix @ CBJ

HOW BOUT THEM JACKETS? What a game. Tuesday’s game marked the final regular season home game for the Jackets and let’s just be real, how good does it feel to say that and have to point out the difference. For those of us who have followed this team for many a year it’s truly a pleasure – and for fans “new” and “old” tonight was a real hum dinger. Phoenix was in town also fighting for their playoff lives and what you saw tonight was just a taste of legitimate playoff hockey can be. After a slow first period, both teams delivered a gritty play, swallowed whistles, intense crowd, atmosphere for days…and an OT winner. More than the sweet sweet emotion of the entire game for the team to come back from a late late tying goal only two games after losing a game in similar fashion shows exactly what this club is capable of. Let’s get on to look (and celebrate) the three stars per NHL.com tonight.

3rd Star: Boone Jenner. Yep. 19:35 on ice, 53.8% Corsi and one very big goal to start the scoring. Ryan Johansen is in the spotlight but don’t sleep on the young Jenner who is bringing a man’s game in a first year NHL player’s body. Perhaps most impressive to me was when Boone’s composure cracked for just a bit after Doan went after him. Boone leads the team in drawn penalties – his composure is unreal. When Doan came after him, and Johansen had to hold the Coyote back, you saw Jenner respond. It was a flash of emotion from a very controlled player. He got himself back in check quickly but this guy gets it and he cares quite a bit about making this team a winner. After losing his opposite winger when Horton went off with an injury, Jenner steadied the Johansen line and was a big body and a big presence all night.2nd Star: Blake Comeau. Heck – give this guy a star based on that shot alone. Comeau wound up and fired a laser from the top of the left circle to give the Jackets the 3-2 lead in the third. Which is kind of shocking – because look (chart courtesy of Sporting Charts):

So when I say noone saw that shot coming, I mean NOONE SAW THAT SHOT COMING. Particularly from Blake Comeau. Comeau had four shots and five hits in a game that really needed a physical push to get the team going tonight. Remember Comeau is a UFA after this season – looks like someone wants the brass to take notice.

1st Star: Ryan Johansen. What more can be said about this kid that hasn’t already? At this point, his game is usually an exercise in reinforcing all that’s good about his game – his size, his patience, his ability to see the game – good gracious. It really is a treat to watch – that big reach, that entry into the zone, the little deke with the puck. But let’s focus tonight on the game winner. Good gracious it was beautiful – a snipe from the left side. Fed by an absolutely glorious pass from Wiz that had Ryan going around the defenseman for the game winner. So let’s focus on THAT. Sure, the pass is beautiful, and you need a skilled player to make it – but focus on what it takes to receive it. You have to deceive the defense, find a way to get behind or around them quickly and then have a sure and rapid fire shot that nets the goal. Damn impressive. First star indeed. How old is this kid anyway?

AMAZING – GAME IN ONE VIDEO

Stud: The Crowd. For years the argument has been made that if the Jackets could produce a winner the fans would return. Arguably there’s a position to be defended that a team as hard working as this one deserves to see some of that payback for their efforts. Tonight delivered. While a Tuesday, and not an “official” end of season game (Fan Appreciation was held Sunday) an almost full arena was raucous, proud, and LOUD. More fun was to see the “C-B-J” chant take over the Arena. The organization first started to introduce this cheer last year and gave up the attempt a bit too quickly for my taste. But many have been clamoring for another chant in addition to “Let’s Go Jackets” and tonight – FINALLY tonight – the crowd embraced their new go to anthem. “C-B-J” rang loud and true from all corners of the Arena. It started randomly throughout the night, took hold, and spilled out into the Arena District after the game was over. Kudos to you fans for creating the atmosphere that matched the quality of play we saw tonight.

Dud: Nathan Horton. There is no concrete information on what ails #8 other than lower body injury. And I certainly don’t begrudge a player for needing time to heal. But it was hard to understand how someone went from “no timetable for return” to “day to Day” to “playing tonight” in a matter of days. I don’t fault any one part of the process. This echos of Comeau’s fast return after a knee injury. Look, these are meaningful games – and key players want to be a part of them – but please, please take care of yourself and find a way to get back to a place where you can truly contribute and stay at a high level of performance. Tonight, Horton was back in the lineup but couldn’t contribute much after the first period and left the Jackets scrambling for lines. The team responded and I wish Horton a sound recovery and can’t wait to see him back on the ice – when the time is ripe.

Immediately following the game the team boarded Blue Jackets Air to head to Dallas. This is one trip where the time change will be an asset as the Jackets essentially gain an hour of sleep by arriving an hour “earlier” as it’s central time. Ironically, our opponents tonight will cheer for the Jackets tomorrow as the Coyotes and Stars are in a competition for a playoff spot in the West. Let’s hope the team is well rested and can ride this tremendous performance to more success in Texas…three games left – two points to clinch a playoff spot? Are we having fun yet?

Carry the Flag