Technical difficulties led to this review not getting posted until later than planned. Wait, that sounds a lot like the Columbus Blue Jackets. Injuries are to people, as WiFi issues are to computers (more or less). This team has so many pieces I like, but just can’t seem to get them together at one time. Artem Anisimov returned to the lineup in last nights 3-2 loss in Florida to the Panthers, but the only star from the Blue Jackets tells the story.
Third Star: Curtis McElhinney
I’ve written probably 10,000 words on him by this point, most of them not particularly flattering. He was a very good minor league goalie, but at the NHL level he just can’t quite cut it. He was the third star last night, after picking up 28 saves on 31 shot attempts. That isn’t terrible, but it equates to a .903 save percentage, slightly below his .906 for the season. This season 57 goalies have played at least 10 games. A .903 save percentage would rank 44th, with his .906 putting McElhinney at 38th. These are the numbers of an average backup goaltender. The kind of guy you are okay playing ten games a year while your workhorse plays the rest. McElhinney’s 38th place ranking is a little disingenious, as most of the guys behind him are also backup goalies, so while he may be near the median in terms of save percentage, he’s a long way off from the average. McElhinney’s played 17 games this year, and I would be shocked if he finishes with less than 30. If a backup goalie is going to play that many games, he needs to be better than an average backup. The difference between a 72-10 split and a 52-30 with a .930 starter and a .906 backup is 15 goals. That may not sound like a lot, but it probably turns six or seven wins into losses and a few regulation wins into shootout or OT wins. Removing ten regulation wins (and the 20 points that come with that) into ten points (say three shootout/OT wins, four shootout/OT losses, and three regulation losses) is a big difference.
Second Star: Aaron Ekblad
Ekblad is a monster. Seriously, who was the last 18 year old defenseman playing over 22 minutes a night, averaging over a half point per game, and a positive plus/minus? The answer would be never. Open that up to all teenagers, and it’s pretty impressive. That list is almost half Hall of Famers (and another should be Hall of Famer). Ekblad looks like he’s going to be an all timer. Although you would have said the same thing about Tyler Myers after his rookie year, so you never know.
First Star: Sean Bergenheim
I have less to say about Sean Bergenheim. He tipped in the game winning goal while getting a stick in the face. He’s a pretty solid middle of the lineup player, who played a whopping 10:09 and had two shots on goal. But yay, game winner.
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Stud: Reviewed Goals
Two questionable goals, two reviews, both came out correctly. I know Blue Jackets fans like to think there is some sort of conspiracy against the Jackets, but really crap just happens. It’s Hanlon’s Razor: Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity. Fortunately, we can stay away from this kind of ranting and raving this game.
Dud: This Season
Per the Merriam-Webster Dictionary – Dud: something that does not do what it is supposed to do : something that is a complete failure. Maybe not the second part, but the first part definitely describes this team, this year. The pieces are there, they just are never there at the same time. Unlike other years where the Jackets have been in the bottom few teams in the standings (currently in 6th last), this year feels much more positive. I can see the path ahead: a lot of close losses with while Sergei Bobrovsky is hurt, a bottom five finish, an impact guy taken in the draft, then next season everything comes together. No major players are free agents now, and while some pretty decent guys are due for new deals, even if someone like Mark Letestu walks, the team has guys on the cusp. This season is a dud, but it’s the most hopeful dud the CBJ have ever had.
Bonus Stud: HERO Charts
Not related to last nights game, but the ability to create these amazing charts hit the interwebs yesterday, and they are amazing. Spend some time playing around with them. Here is one of my personal favorites:
http://public.tableausoftware.com/javascripts/api/viz_v1.js
Perfectly sums up Brandon Dubinsky. Awesome at everything but things that involve shooting.
The Jackets take the ice next on Saturday, as they continue their Florida swing with a game in Tampa against Steven Stamkos and the Lightning.
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