Three Stars and Game in One Picture: CBJ @ NSH

6 wins, 15 losses, and 2 loser points. Those numbers are almost unfeasible to think of. These last two games, the Blue Jackets have played better hockey. The glimmers…the sparks of the Jackets of yesteryear shine through every now and then and let you remember why you keep watching, soul crushing loss after soul crushing loss. They played hard tonight; but as we’ve seen now seemingly countless times this season playing hard just isn’t enough.

3^rd Star: Mike Ribeiro

I guess since he got a goal he goes here. Wasn’t anything that special, especially compared to Johansen’s powerplay tally that knotted it early on in the 3^rd period. Why isn’t Joey in this list? Absolute rubbish.

2^nd Star: Curtis McElhinney

There’s a lot of things Curtis did right in the 60 minutes he was on the ice. You don’t walk out of a hockey game with a 42/44 .954 save percentage on accident. Yet, objectively, Curtis was more responsible for the 2 Nashville goals than any Nashville player. Losing sight of the puck on the first one and deciding to attempt pilgrimage on the second were very clear, very costly mistakes for the backup netminder. However, it shouldn’t change how spectacularly he played for the other 59:50 of the tilt. He was robbed of a first star here, no matter how pointless these accolades are.

1^st Star: Colin Wilson

I could have scored that goal blindfolded and drunk. Oh boy, it was the GWG, get this malarkey out of here.

Game in One Picture:

Stud: Goaltending

The Blue Jackets lose this one baaaaaaaaadly if it’s not for the talents of C-Mac in the paint tonight. Curtis doesn’t get the benefit of the doubt on most nights (and frankly hasn’t earned it) but tonight’s performance was really what the Jackets needed to a T. In a cruel twist of fate, it was the Blue Jackets that let down Curtis McElhinney, and that stings more than anything has in a while.

Dud: Weak Offense

Bleh. What the heck, guys? It’s been over 2 full games since the CBJ have scored an even strength goal. The Union Blue have only managed to muster a meager 1.4 goals-per-game average this current ridiculous losing streak. When they figure that out they’re going to win. You just hope it isn’t a for a single stinking game.

It’s getting harder and harder to merely “shrug it off” but at this point the Jackets have no choice. They’re squarely in the middle of another potential 9+ game losing streak if someone doesn’t step up big…and the others help too. Curtis had this game for the CBJ and they blew it; sooner than later this team is going to snap out of it and rally.

Or die trying.

Carry the Flag!