1000 games in the books and I can’t be more elated to write a recap than the one I’m writing for this one. As a team and a fanbase we’ve had only minimal tastes of success, and it was rarely sustained. Despite the frigid temperatures, the walk to my car and drive home from not only our 8th consecutive win but a convincing win against a Metropolitan opponent was entirely too enjoyable. With this win, the Jackets sit 1 point behind the New York Rangers yet have 3 fewer games played. Things are good in CBJ-land, folks. Things are good. Speaking of good, let’s talk about tonight’s stars of the game!
3rd Star: Jack Johnson
While I may have found myself frustrated with Johnson during the early 4:00 power play, I was frustrated with pretty much everyone in the Union Blue jerseys who set foot on the ice. That critique aside, I liked much of what I saw from Johnson. He played a tough game against Philly’s better players and was able to break open the scoring with a somewhat flukey shot that bounced off of both defender’s legs before getting past Emery. With there being so many penalties in this game Johnson was called upon to log a lot of special teams time. 14 minutes of his 27 on the evening involved special teams.
2nd Star: Matt Calvert
Hustle, hustle, hustle. I’m having a really hard time reconciling with the fact that when Gaborik returns Calvert will likely be the odd man out of the Dubinsky-Atkinson line but with play tonight that decision is getting harder and harder for Coach Richards and Co. Dubinsky’s goal was dead in the water without Calvert’s tenacious play to keep the puck in the zone that Tyutin had seemingly already given up on. Calvert’s PP goal was perfection. He set up shop in front of Emery ninja-like. Seemingly nobody noticed him swoop in. He called for the puck, kept his chest square to the puck at all times so that when the puck finally made its way to him he had little work to do on the finish aside from just keep his stick on the ground.
1st Star: Brandon Dubinsky
The old man and figurehead of the 11-17-13 line put forth another solid effort tonight. He continues to bring out the best in the players around him, which makes him worthy of bringing up in the discussion for if he should get a super-special letter sewn on his jersey but here’s the thing: if ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It’s clear that the leadership core that’s been established in the locker room is effective. Will I be disappointed if Dubinsky is named captain? Absolutely not, but it would almost seem redundant.
Stud: Coach Richards
That’s right, I’ll throw the Stud of the Game to Coach Richards. He’s obviously managing talent and play well but he’s doing his best to keep the guys grounded during this win streak which is no small task with a team as young as ours. You can tell in post-game interviews that the local press are trying to get him to just pronounce how thrilled he is with the win streak and he’s done an admirable job of dismissing it up until tonight. If you didn’t hear his post-game I recommend you check it out. You could tell that even normally unexcitable Richards had some extra pep in his step.
Dud: The first 4:00 power play
Really, this was disappointing. It seemed like a huge set back in our recently prosperous power play. Luckily the appropriate adjustments were made and the PP returned to prosperity in the 2nd and 3rd. As long as it’s just a minor hiccup I’ll hold off on mashing the panic button.
As we’ve heard time and again, time to have short memories and move on to Buffalo to claim yet more valuable points on this crazy run.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
