The Jackets played a decent first period, a worse second period, and then an ineffective 3rd period. They ended the game with a decent number of registered shots but no goals. They had plenty of early scoring chances, suffering from what appeared to be the same PDO puckluck that saw them start off 0-8, but the goals against were defensive lapses, plain and simple.
The Good: The Opening Volley
The Blue Jackets came out in the first period knowing exactly what they wanted to do. The 4th line even had some decent shifts and the squad was able to keep the puck in and cycle it around. I keep coming back to a play in which the Jackets had a good shot/rebound/pass look and the puck just founds its way over Tyutin’s stick. Damn.
The Bad: The Rest of the Game
After those first precious minutes of competence the Jackets lost their grip on the game slowly but surely, letting in an unsurprising pair of quick goals in the 2nd period. They got away with a 3rd goal against because of an iffy boarding call on Bobby Ryan. I could go on for about an about an hour about that call but I will save you the time.
(Refs were having a day on the struggle bus, we all have those moments don’t we?)
The OK: The Outlook
Hey, guys, look, the Jackets are 7-13. Is that good? No. Is that as terrible as it looked like it would be at 0-8? Not by a long shot. Whether it is the coach or a regression towards the norm, the Jackets are playing better. And it’s fun again! Phew.
The Really Bad and Not at All Good: My Actual Thought in the First Period
David Savard missed an easy goal trying to pick his corner and I thought to myself, I swear I actually did, “Maybe the ‘bigger net’ guys have some merit to their cause.”
I need help.
The Jackets are back at it again tomorrow as they take on the Nashville Predators at home, because what would the Blue Jackets season be without a suspiciously large amount of back-to-backs against the top teams of the West. (No really, look at this month’s schedule.) Here’s hoping they can forget this game and focus on what made them successful against the Blues, because I like it more when the Jackets win.
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