In the last regular season game in Nassau Coliseum, the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the New York Islanders 5-4 in overtime. In front of a sellout crowd, the Blue Jackets were able to defeat a playoff bound team that was searching for home ice advantage in the first round. A lot was on the line for the Isles, meanwhile the Jackets only had their pride but damn if it wasn’t enough.
Highlights:
Good, Better, Best
Good: Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson doesn’t often fall into the advanced stats community’s good graces but tonight I wanted to honor him for the work he not only did tonight but the past month as well. On the evening he had one assist and 26:26 TOI in a hard fought tilt. He had the highest even strength Corsi percentage at 58% this evening by a defensemen and it showed continually on the ice with his strong zone entries. The past month or so Johnson has also done a great job with his possession, a markedly large improvement where it has been in the past at 49.5%. The plan in the offseason is to revamp the defense, Jack Johnson, good or bad will more than likely be in the center of those plans. Keep an eye on the Michigan grad.
Better: Scott Hartnell
Trades don’t normally work out as well as they did for the Blue Jackets this past offseason. The veteran winger came into the year with high hopes of making the playoffs but injuries derailed the team early and they were never really able to find their groove in time. While the disappointment of missing the playoffs stings for both the fans and players, Scott Hartnell has absolutely nothing to be down about. Statistically tied for the second best year of his career at 60 points, Hartnell may have found a new home in Columbus and the Jackets are truly happy to have him.
Best: The Future
Alexander Wennberg and Marko Dano both ended the year on complete high notes and may have even been a couple of the best players on the Jackets in the last month or so. While they did wonderfully, it is hard not to look down the line and see what is coming up the pipeline for the Jackets. Sonny Milano, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Kerby Rychel are a few players that come to mind that spark my interest when talking about the Jackets. These players have yet to play an NHL game but have found their names on the tips of many tongues in Columbus.
Why?
People are starting to truly care about hockey in Central Ohio. Whether it be the players that are growing up through the youth systems set up around town or the adult leagues that draw players of all sorts to the rink, people are beginning to talk hockey. The play on the ice is important and the development of players is paramount to a successful franchise, the roots have been planted long ago and it looks like we are about to sow the rewards we have all been waiting for.
Tweet of the Game:
https://twitter.com/307x/status/587072502649720832
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