A slow first 20 minutes, spotting the team a lead and then a rousing 2nd-half effort to make things interesting? Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Sadly it’s become the new normal for the Blue Jackets. Let’s start with tonight’s highlights: I think this may have been one of Wennberg’s best games in a CBJ sweater. Defensively he didn’t look like he was getting out-worked or out-skilled by his Capitals counterparts on the ice. That made me very happy. Boone Jenner continues to assert himself as an on-ice leader and role model for others on the ice. He was rewarded with two assists tonight but he’s been impressive on all 200 feet of the ice, not just in the offensive zone. The bad news? The losing streak continues. We’re at 9 now. Ouch. Tonight’s three stars are:
3rd Star: Boone Jenner
Boone played a solid 200-foot game tonight and contributed to both Blue Jackets scoring chances. He went an abysmal 6 for 23 in the face-off dot tonight but one of those offensive zone face-off wins landed on Cam Atkinson’s stick to pull the Jackets within 1 goal 9:52 into the 1st period.
2nd Star: Alexander Ovechkin
What’s there to say? #8 got it done tonight. He earned his paycheck both on the power play and even strength. It’s still a joy to watch this guy play.
1st Star: Marcus Johansson
While Johansson has 2 goals like Ovechkin, he gets the nod for 1st star for the sheer optics of his goals. While some blame McElhinney’s slow lateral movement for Johansson’s wrap-around goal, whenever I watch that I’m amazed at the speed of his stick. I seriously can’t remember the last time I saw a skater circle the net with that speed and control of a puck. Re-watching the play you can’t help but wonder if McElhinney could have made the save with a more firmly planted right foot against the post.
Stud: Cam Atkinson
All this kid does lately is take the zone with speed and generate traffic towards the net. In many way’s he’s simplified his game and I think that’s going to be key in breaking this losing streak. There are passengers and there are drivers on this team right now, Cam is a driver.
Dud: Ryan Johansen’s conditioning
I’m not going to say that Ryan Johansen’s conditioning isn’t cut out for NHL play but it certainly isn’t cut out for 22 minutes of ice time per night. I get that he’s one of your most talented forwards and when you’re desperate for a win you want your most talented forwards on the ice a lot but I’d lobby for him to log closer to 19 minutes a night if possible and be less gassed while playing. Attribute this to the coach or the player, but I don’t think the current plan is going to work.
Fingers are crossed that we’ll see the likes of the Swiss-Army-Skille and maybe even Bobrovsky back this weekend as we continue against our Metro rivals. Coupled with the return of Jack Johnson, will that be enough to turn this skid around? Here’s to hoping so. Carry the flag!
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