December 22, 20168 yr Heading to my first game of the year tomorrow! The Pens games seem to be the biggest regular season draw since the Jackets moved into the Eastern Conference. Partly because of that entertaining 2014 playoff series against them. Partly because they are an NHL powerhouse. Partly because of Crosby/Malkin. And partly because Pens fans show up in droves to infest Nationwide Arena! (When they inevitably start the "Let's Go Pens" chant, be sure to join the "C-B-J" chant that shouts them down!) It is only game #31 for the CBJ in an 82-game season. But with the 10-game winning streak and everything else that's been going good with the Jackets, this game should be F-U-N!!! NSFW Game Preview: http://www.jacketscannon.com/2016/12/22/14050168/game-preview-this-one-goes-to-eleven-columbus-blue-jackets-pittsburgh-penguins
December 23, 20168 yr Well, here goes nothing. 10-game win streak heading into Pittsburgh and Montreal back-to-back. If we knock down both of them on consecutive nights, then we really are in the national Stanley Cup conversation. Can't believe I'm writing that. (Still a lot of hockey left to be played either way, of course.) You had to say something didn't you? You better hope they win tomorrow! Still 5:30 left in the 3rd as I'm typing this. But I'm good. Heading to my first game of the year tomorrow! Please go to the rest.
December 23, 20168 yr It's an expensive endeavor to go to 25+ more games, but wow. I'm on board. This team isn't just good...they look scary good right now. Going for 12 tonight. Very Stable Genius
December 23, 20168 yr http://www.jacketscannon.com/2016/12/23/14067224/recap-blue-jackets-7-penguins-1 https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-cbj/2016/12/22/2016020497#game=2016020497,game_state=final http://www.espn.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=400884893 A dominating 7-1 victory over the Pens! Chasing the Pens goalie to the bench with a three-goal-in-51-seconds barrage in the third period!! Hartnell Hat Trick!!!
December 23, 20168 yr That win - in the penultimate game before the Christmas break - gives the CBJ a 11-game winning streak! And it also moves Columbus into first-place in the Metro Division: https://www.nhl.com/standings And Columbus is also first-place in the Eastern Conference: http://www.espn.com/nhl/standings Plus first-place in the entire NHL (tied at 48 points with Chicago but with four less games played then the Blackhawks) Sure, 51 games remain in the regular season. But this team is officially for real. It's a great time to be a CBJ fan!!
December 24, 20168 yr 12 ! The CBJ needed Bob to be "Vezina Bob" last night against Montreal to get their 12th consecutive win. And he was "Vezina Bob" with 36 saves on 37 shots - saves that we're timely and highlight reel quality. My favorite comment from the Jackets Cannon game thread - http://www.jacketscannon.com/2016/12/23/14067978/defending-first-place - was "my groin hurt just watching that". Video recap: http://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=400884905 Box score: http://www.espn.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=400884905
December 24, 20168 yr Entering the NHL's Christmas Break, the Columbus Blue Jackets are #1 in their division, #1 in their conference, and #1 in the entire league!!! - The CBJ are the first team in the league to 50 points. - Tied for most wins with NYR (but the Rangers have played four more games). - Least losses at 5 (three other teams tied at 8 losses). - The highest Point Percentage per Game. - The highest Power Play Percentage. - Second in Goals scored per game (Pens are first). - Second in Goals against per game (Wild are first). MORE: http://www.nhl.com/stats/team?aggregate=0&gameType=2&report=teamsummary&reportType=season&seasonFrom=20162017&seasonTo=20162017&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=points
December 27, 20168 yr Tonight's game is a virtual sellout. Wonder how many of those seats were Christmas gifts? Very Stable Genius
December 27, 20168 yr From http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2016/12/27/blue-jackets-notebook-jackets-0-2-vs-bruins-this-season.html "The Blue Jackets opened the season on Oct. 13 with a 6-3 loss to the Bruins, which no doubt sent many to the exits thinking “Here we go again.” A 5-2 loss in Boston on Nov. 10 dropped the Blue Jackets to 6-4-2, making the Bruins the only club to score more than four goals against the Jackets this season. Since the Nov. 10 loss, the Jackets are 17-1-2." ( . . . ) "Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has beaten every team in the league except the Bruins. He is 0-4-2 in his career vs. Boston, and he was pulled from the Nov. 10 game after allowing four goals on nine shots. With that history and the CBJ riding their 12-game winning streak into tonight's game with Boston . . . something's gotta give.
December 28, 20168 yr Not wanting to look past Winnipeg, and I know Minnesota has to go through the Islanders, but ... It's a shame that New Year's Eve's game is in Minneapolis, because Nationwide would be packed.
December 28, 20168 yr 13 ! The Jackets got the first 3 goals - then gave up the next 3 goals - before Foligno got the game-winning goal in the third on a power play. Bob got 37 saves on 40 shots. Wasn't the smoothest performance by the CBJ. But they and Bob got the Boston monkey off their backs for their 13th consecutive win. The win also keeps the CBJ one point ahead of the Pens for first in division/conference/league! Box score: http://www.espn.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=400884916 Video recap: https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/bos-vs-cbj/2016/12/27/2016020520#game=2016020520,game_state=final
December 28, 20168 yr First back-to-back-to-back home sellouts since January of 2007. Amazing. Gotta think they lose a couple coming up. They played pretty poorly last night and against the Canadiens (heck, even the Kings game last Tuesday as well). At Winnipeg (who just beat the Blackhawks tomorrow, then at Minnesota on New Year's Eve. The Wild are riding an 11-game win streak of their own. Flip the calendar and the fighting McDavids are in town, then a tough 3-game Metro Division starts at Washington and then home games against the Rangers and Flyers (even Carolina has turned it around a little bit). If they sell out the game against Edmonton, they could push their "home sellout streak" to 6 games pretty easily after that. Very Stable Genius
December 30, 20168 yr Most polls are BS. But some polls are more BS than others. If you're even a casual hockey fan and want to laugh, Google preseason NHL polls for this year and check out what people were saying three months ago. http://www.si.com/nhl/2016/07/19/midsummer-nhl-power-rankings Wyld in the middle of the pack, Jackets 30th out of 30. Whoops! On New Year's Eve, Columbus (25-5-4, 14-game win streak) will play at Minnesota (23-8-4, 12-game win streak). Yahoo's writeup on the upcoming came kind of pokes fun at the preseason-hindsight lulz: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/blue-jackets-wild-will-make-nhl-streaking-history-in-showdown-041524784.html : "So the two hottest teams in the NHL collide on New Year’s Eve: The League-leading Blue Jackets, with a plus-48 goal differential, and the Wild, with a plus-39 goal differential. You know, just like we all expected."
December 30, 20168 yr 14 ! Game 14 of the winning streak went smoother than the previous win. The top line of Foligno-Wennberg-Saad accounted for 4 of the 5 goals tonight. Box score: http://www.espn.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=400884935 Video recap: https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cbj-vs-wpg/2016/12/29/2016020539#game=2016020539,game_state=final And as Gramarye said above, "On New Year's Eve, Columbus (25-5-4, 14-game win streak) will play at Minnesota (23-8-4, 12-game win streak)". Two big winning streaks on the line in the "State of Hockey". It'll be the NHL's Game-of-the-Night to ring out 2016!
January 2, 20178 yr 15 ! The CBJ extend their winning streak to 15, while stopping Minnesota's winning streak at 12 in the Twin Cities on New Year's Eve. Box score: http://www.espn.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=400884946 Video recap: https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/cbj-vs-min/2016/12/31/2016020550#game=2016020550,game_state=final Getting back into posting mode after a New Year's holiday/family visit break, so I'm just getting around to this recap. But I'm doubly grateful for this win because the second half of my "Columbus Sports New Year's Eve Double-Header" (i.e. the OSU/Clemson game) turned out so badly! (I missed 3 of the 6 goals scored due to switching back-and-forth between the two games!) The CBJ are still red-hot. They had a dominating second period to win in a very highly charged atmosphere at Minnesota. This 15-game streak ties for the second longest winning streak in NHL history.
January 4, 20178 yr 16 ! Edmonton falls (again) to the Blue Jackets winning streak - now at 16. This 16-game winning streak is second all-time in the NHL's 100-season history, and one win away tying the all-time record of 17 by the Penguins in the 1992-93 season!!! Box score: http://www.espn.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=400884964 Video recap: https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/edm-vs-cbj/2017/01/03/2016020568#game=2016020568,game_state=final Another strong performance against the improving Oilers. The first 30 minutes were pretty even. But the last 30 were dominated by the Jackets on the scoreboard, then salted away defensively. Two power-play goals and a Foligno goal off a bad Oilers defensive-zone turnover (shades of recent Oilers season's past) paced the scoring for this 3-1 win. The CBJ go for #17 at Washington on Thursday!
January 6, 20178 yr The CBJ's winning streak had to end sometime. And the 16-game winning streak ended with a 5-0 loss at Washington last night. This is only the second time the Jackets were shutout this season. The last shutout was a 2-0 loss against Calgary on Nov. 23 - which was also the last time the Jackets lost in regulation - the day before Thanksgiving. The CBJ are 27-6-4, and still first in the Metro Division, the Eastern Conference and the entire league. Time to start a new winning streak against the Rangers tomorrow night at Nationwide!
January 10, 20178 yr The Jackets didn't get a new winning streak started until Sunday's 2-1 OT win over the Flyers. Saturday's game against the Rangers should have been the start of a new winning streak, but the team blew a 4-1 lead on four consecutive goals. The team thought they could rely on backup goalie Curtis McElhinney for Saturday's game to give Bob some rest. But C-Mac had a poor performance, letting in some soft goals. Because of that C-Mac has been waived for the purposes of sending him to the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL and 24-year-old Anton Forsberg has been called up to back-up Bob: http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/18436880/columbus-blue-jackets-waive-backup-goalie-curtis-mcelhinney http://www.jacketscannon.com/2017/1/9/14214970/blue-jackets-waive-mcelhinney-recall-forsberg The CBJ are 28-7-4, and still first in the Metro Division, the Eastern Conference and the entire league. They embark on a three-game southern road swing this week with a game at Carolina tonight, then Friday at Tampa Bay and Saturday at Florida.
January 13, 20178 yr Tonight's game at TBL is #41 and the halfway point of the season. The CBJ reach it at 28-8-4, and still first in the Metro Division, the Eastern Conference and the entire league. But they also reach it having lost 3 of their last 4 games since the epic 16-game winning streak. Despite remaining #1 overall, the CBJ face a bit of a danger zone coming off the long winning streak. There is a natural let down after a winning streak ends. (See Philly, who went 2-6-3 after their 10-game winning streak.) Combine that with a mid-season NHL grind and uncertainly with their backup goaltending and the CBJ could face a tough slog in their upcoming Eastern Conference games. That being said, two of those last three losses came without Bob in goal. Tuesday's loss at Carolina was particularly odd. Bob was scheduled to start, but got scratched due to a flu-like illness. Earlier that day, previous backup goalie Curtis McElhinney was claimed by Toronto off waivers. So scheduled backup goalie Anton Forsberg had to start and he struggled. Forward Matt Calvert also got scratched due to flu-like illness and had to be replaced in the lineup by little-used reserve d-man Dalton Prout as a forward - because they needed to send their extra forward back to Cleveland to meet maximum roster requirements to waive C-Mac! After 6 shifts of the Prout forward experiment, Torts sat him down for rest of the game. Which left him unable to roll the four lines that was so effective during the winning streak. With the offensive lines messed up and a struggling backup goalie, the Jackets dropped a close match they probably should have won. Going into this weekend's TBL/FLA road games, Bob has recovered and is scheduled to start. Forsberg was sent back to Cleveland and Joonas Korpisalo is now the backup goalie. Hopefully the CBJ can get some points in the Sunshine State before returning to Ohio.
January 18, 20178 yr It turned out that Bob had not recovered from his flu-like illness before Friday TBL game and was sent back to Columbus. So the Sunshine State weekend series became Joonas Korpisalo's show. Korpi was stellar in Friday's 3-1 win over TBL, saving 31 of 32 shots. But he was a bit below-average in Saturday's 4-3 loss at FLA. So going into this week's games, the CBJ are now 29-9-4 and second overall in their division, conference and league (The Washington Capitals have surpassed them as 1st overall). The Jackets have now lost 4 of 6 games since the 16-game winning streak. Although 3 of those 4 losses were without Bob in net. Bob is once again said to be ready to start tonight's game (and also said to have lost 5 pounds from the illness). If healthy and effective, Bob and the Jackets could regain their winning ways with three straight home games (Tuesday-Carolina; Thursday-Ottawa; Saturday-Carolina again) before a Sunday match at Ottawa to finish out this week.
January 18, 20178 yr Now this is more like it: http://www.jacketscannon.com/2017/1/18/14306426/recap-goals-in-dub-licate-columbus-blue-jackets-carolina-hurricanes-dubinsky-jenner-nedeljkovic The Jackets got back on the right track with a 4-1 win over Carolina last night. Bob was back in the net and, except for one unsaveable shot near the end of the first period, stonewalled the Canes. After the Canes scored with 1:54 left in the first, Jenner scored 11 seconds later(!) and then Dubi scored 35 seconds after that (for what turned out to be the game-winner). Dubi added his second goal of night early in the second period. Sedlak added a goal just before the game's halfway point to knock the Canes starting goalie to the bench. His replacement was Alex Nedeljkovic, a 21-year-old rookie goalie from Parma who made his NHL debut. A nice little O-H-I-O cherry to last night's win. (Nedeljkovic did really well too, saving all 17 shots he faced.) This win reties the CBJ with the Caps for first overall. Plus the CBJ became the first NHL club this season to 30 wins (in 43 games). To put that into perspective, the CBJ didn't reach the 30-win mark last season until game #73!
January 24, 20178 yr Mid-season slump. Market correction. The doldrums. Whatever you call it, the CBJ are in it since their 16-game winning streak ended in early January. Since that streak ended the Jackets have gone 5-5-0. Here are the last three games: - Thursday: 2-0 loss to Ottawa that they probably deserved to win; Sens goalie stopped 42 shots. - Saturday: 3-2 win over Carolina that they probably deserved to lose; got outshot 37-20 but Bob's play and a two-goal night by Hartnell was just enough for the win. - Sunday: Survived a crazy 7-6 OT win at Ottawa; Korpi was in net for this one and the Sens goalie that blanked the CBJ on Thursday let in 7 goals on 29 shots(!) including Atkinson's breakaway game-winner in the first minute of the 3-on-3 OT. After a long stretch without any significant player downtime, the injury bug has bitten the Jackets. Two d-men (Savard and Nutivaara) were out all last week. And rookie phenom Werenski got a big scare in Sunday's game. A slapshot hit his right ankle the second period and it looked bad. After x-ray revealed no fracture, Werenski returned for the third period and OT. Extra-forward Markus Hannikainen and extra-defenseman Scott Harrington were pressed into service and each scored their 1st NHL career goal during the weekend games.
January 24, 20178 yr Despite this midseason stretch, the Jackets are finding ways to win. And the CBJ have only been passed in the standings by the red-hot Washington Capitals. So they're still in excellent shape. To put this into perspective, the CBJ are 32-10-4 and reached the 10th-loss threshold in Game #44 last Thursday. Last season, the CBJ reached the 10-loss threshold at Game #12! The CBJ are in the middle of a five-game road swing - with two more games this week (Tuesday at NY Islanders; Thursday at Nashville) before the NHL All-Star Game break this weekend.
January 28, 20178 yr It seems like the NHL's ASG break is coming at the right time for the CBJ. The final two pre-ASG games this week saw a listless effort in a 4-2 loss at NYI on Tuesday, and an inconsistent effort in a 4-3 loss at Nashville on Thursday. The Jackets are still looking fine standings-wise at 32-12-4, 2nd in the Metro, 2nd in the East, 3rd overall in the NHL. But they've also gone 5-7-0 since the 16-winning streak ended in early January. So maybe the break will serve as an opportunity to refocus for the final stretch of the regular season. The CBJ did see Savard return to Thursday's lineup after missing three games with back spasms. Nutivaara is still out with lower body injury, but is reported to be skating with the team and may be close to returning.
January 28, 20178 yr Speaking of the NHL's All-Star Game, Columbus will be well-represented in LA this weekend with three players (a record high for the franchise): - Seth Jones and Sergei Bobrovsky were named on the original Metro Division roster. This is the first ASG appearance for 22-year-old defenseman Jones. This is the second time goaltender Bobrovsky was named to an All-Star Game. However, Bob got injured just before he would have appeared in 2015 ASG that was in Columbus. So this will be Bob's first actual ASG appearance. - Cam Atkinson was added as an injury replacement on the Metro roster. This is Cam's first ASG appearance. And a well-deserved honor for the 27-year-old forward, who is having a career-year with 24G-22A for 46 points in 48 games. His 24 goals are tied for second-most in entire league. - One CBJ representative that will not taking part in the ASG weekend is head coach John Tortorella. Torts was named head coach of the Metro team, because the CBJ led the Metro division on Jan. 10 when the coaching assignments were made. Prior to Thursday's CBJ game, he announced he would be skipping the ASG weekend due to the failing health of one of his five dogs. The dog is a 10-year-old pit bull who belongs to his son, Nick, who is a U.S. Army Ranger stationed abroad (and obviously cannot be present for this). -- Tortorella has a long history of supporting animal rights causes, and his family's foundation - The John and Christine Tortorella Family Foundation - has found homes for rescue and foster dogs, with a focus on the pit bull breed. More about this at http://www.dispatch.com/sports/20170127/blue-jackets-sick-dog-prompts-tortorellas-absence
February 3, 20178 yr The CBJ returned from the All-Star break with a 6-4 win over the Rangers at MSG. Korpisalo was in net for Bob (who was being rested after playing in the ASG two days earlier). Savard was out again due to back spasms. The CBJ gave NYR plenty of scoring chances to begin the game, but the Blue Shirts couldn't cash in. So the Blue Jackets left the first period with a 1-0 lead. Then the CBJ exploded with four goals in the second period, chasing King Henry from the net. Another goal 1:49 into the third period gave the Jackets a 6-0 lead. Then the Rangers fought back with 3 goals over the next 5 minutes the narrow the lead to 6-3. An extra-attacker goal with 1:07 remaining got the Rangers within two. But that was as close as it would get. http://www.jacketscannon.com/2017/2/1/14464746/recap-grit-your-teeth-and-take-the-win The Jackets finish up this week with two Metro Division games. Tonight at Pittsburgh and tomorrow night hosting New Jersey.
February 7, 20178 yr The CBJ finished out last week's Metro Division games with feisty but inconsistent efforts. Nutivaara returned to the lineup Saturday after missing 8 games. Savard out Friday and Saturday with reoccurring back spasms: - Friday 4-3 OT loss at Pittsburgh: Got a road point after coming back from two pairs of two-goal deficits; but lost after committing a penalty in the 3-on-3 OT which gave the Pens a power-play. - Saturday 5-1 loss hosting New Jersey: Wasn't quite a blowout as the final score (CBJ outshot NJ, disallowed CBJ goal, empty-net NJ goal and meaningless NJ in the final minute); but still not a good overall outing. Tonight the Jackets play what is likely their final game in "The Joe". (Detroit will be moving from venerable old Joe Louis Arena into shiny new Little Caesars Arena next season.) On Thursday, the Jackets start a seven-game homestand(!) with a match against Vancouver. They finish off the week hosting Detroit on Saturday.
February 8, 20178 yr Before last night's game, CBJ rookie defenseman Zach Werenski wrote "A Letter to The Joe" that was posted on the Jackets website. Werenski grew up in Grosse Pointe, a suburb 13 miles from downtown Detroit: https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/blue-jackets-zach-werenski-letter-to-the-joe-february-6/c-286493180
February 8, 20178 yr If that was the last time the CBJ played in The Joe, then they went out with a bang: Jackets tied the Red Wings 2-2 in regulation. At just over a minute into the 3-on-3 OT, Detroit captain Zetterberg has the puck at center ice. Dubi goes for the puck and breaks Zetterberg's stick. Refs make no call. Dubi scoops up the puck, advances into Detroit's defense zone, and drop passes to Jones - who blasts a shot past Mrazek for the game-winning goal! Jackets win! 20,000 fans (minus the 100 or so Jacket Backers in one section) rained boos as the CBJ celebrate! HIGHLIGHTS: https://www.nhl.com/news/columbus-blue-jackets-detroit-red-wings-game-recap/c-286538658
February 12, 20178 yr The Jackets seven-game homestand started Thursday with 3-0 dud against Vancouver. But it got better with a 2-1 win over Detroit on Saturday night. The Red Wings continued to be snake-bit against the CBJ. Bobrovsky stonewalled them for the entire game, except for a power-play goal. And then, with 2.9 seconds remaining, the Red Wings pulled a nifty face-off play with an extra attacker that set up a wide open shot - that rang off the goal post! The CBJ have a busy upcoming week before they're off on a league-mandated bye week. On Monday, we get a rare national TV broadcast when the CBJ host NYR. Then Wednesday vs. Toronto; Friday vs. Pittsburgh; Sunday vs. Nashville. Then off until Saturday the 25th against the Islanders.
February 12, 20178 yr Between the Thursday and Saturday games, the team held an Friday outdoor practice. In what is becoming an annual tradition, the Jackets headed to the outdoor ice rink set up for the Winter Park festivities in McFerson Commons. The NHL regulation ice rink started as a feature of the 2015 NHL All-Star Game, and was making its third appearance in the public park located immediately south of Nationwide Arena. The public was invited to the outdoor practice and a good cold time was had by all: https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/winter-park-practice-brings-out-the-smiles/c-286636332 It was all for fun, but Dubi is always primed for action! Leading scorer Cam Atkinson brought his dog! And some missed school for the event? Practice Time. Different type of glass seats on this side of the outdoor rink. Lots of Autographs to go around. Lots of Photos too. Including a Team Photo: MORE PHOTOS: https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/fans/wp-photo-blog http://imgur.com/a/Krg8x
February 18, 20178 yr That was a thrilling game last night against the Pens. Both teams were at top speed and got great goaltending in what may end up being an opening round playoff preview (if the CBJ and Pittsburgh finish 2 and 3 in the Metro Division, they'll face each other). The Jackets got the opening goal early in the second period. The Pens tied it up later in the second. Despite lots of shots (39 SOG's for each team) the tie game extended into a 3-on-3 OT period. A minute into the OT, Jones got puck possession - passed it forward to Atkinson - who tapped it over to Dubinsky. Dubinsky and Atkinson pressed forward - crossed in front of the Pens net - Dubi holds - and holds - and blasts in the game-winner! Below is an image of the aftermath from http://www.jacketscannon.com/2017/2/18/14656306/game-57-recap-jackets-2-penguins-1-ot. Note the jubilant Jackets fans and glum Pens fans in the adjoining section :-D FULL RECAP W/ VIDEO: https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-columbus-blue-jackets-game-recap/c-286879774
February 20, 20178 yr Last week's action: - MONDAY: Tough luck 3-2 loss against the Rangers; CBJ plays well but gives up their first shorthanded goal of the season, which turned out to be the difference on the scoreboard. Despite the loss, a good showing for the national TV broadcast. - WEDNESDAY: Strong rebound with a 5-2 win over Toronto; Mathews and the Leafs young guns are held in check; backup Korpisalo gets the win in net; Bjorkstrand replaces an injured Hartnell and gets his first goal of the season. - FRIDAY: Thrilling 2-1 OT win over Pittsburgh (see above) - SUNDAY: Chaotic 4-3 loss to Nashville; Some very good play (Werenski gets his first 3-point game (1G-2A) and Bjorkstrand gets his second goal of the season) combined with some very bad play (lots of defensive breakdowns that forced Bob into some spectacular saves).
February 20, 20178 yr Going into this week's five-day break period the Jackets are 37-16-5 with 79 points. The CBJ are 3rd in the Metro Division; one point behind Pittsburgh and two points ahead of the NY Rangers, who hold the top wild-card spot in the East. It's likely that NYR will overtake the Jackets for third in the Metro while they are on their break. But the top wild-card spot is still 12 points ahead of second wild-card, so that's not much of a difference playoff-wise. Since the Jackets 16-game winning streak ended on January 5th, the CBJ has gone 10-11-1. They are 5-4-1 in the last 10 games; 4-3 in the last 7; 3-2 in the last 5. Not exactly stellar play, but not a collapse either. Although another winning streak would be nice, this .500 play would be enough to see them into the Stanley Cup playoffs. Probably more important is to establish "the right style of play". You hear NHL coaches talk about playing "the right way". And they mean being defensively responsible and holding down the opponents scoring chances. Things that are magnified in the playoffs. The CBJ generally do this. But they've strayed from it lately during the grind of the season. Perhaps this mandatory break is coming at a good time for the team. Although one thing to watch out for is getting back up to speed after the break. NHL teams have gone 3-13-3 in their first game after the mandatory 5-day break period. And the Jackets have back-to-back games next weekend after the break (Saturday vs. NYI; Sunday at NYR).
February 28, 20178 yr The Jackets had their first games after their mandatory 5-day break period over the weekend. Most NHL teams have had a rough time getting back to play after the break. But the break seems to have done the CBJ some good as they broke the "Bye-Week Curse" with two dominating wins: - SATURDAY: A 7-0 demolition of the Islanders at NWA; Anderson and Foligno each scored twice; Savard had a goal and two assists; Korpisalo got his first career NHL shutout. - SUNDAY: Convincing 5-2 win over the Rangers at MSG; Atkinson and Wennberg each scored twice; Bjorkstrand had two assists; Bobrovsky stopped 28 of 30 shots (his stats would have been even better but the final shot of the game - when the CBJ were up 5-1 - just crossed the goal line with 0.3 seconds remaining!). Both of those wins came against teams that were on hot streaks going into the CBJ games (NYI was 7-2-1; NYR was 9-1-1). The win against the Rangers vaulted Columbus a point ahead of NYR for third in the tough Metro division. Let's hope the Jackets continue this good play, because it doesn't get any easier this week: Tuesday at Montreal; Thursday hosting best-in-the-west Minnesota; then back-to-back Saturday at Ottawa and Sunday at New Jersey.
February 28, 20178 yr The NHL trading deadline is 3PM tomorrow. There have been some significant deals done in the days leading up to it: http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2017/2/27/14732878/nhl-trade-deadline-2017-grades-list-rumors But don't look for anything from the Jackets: (1)The CBJ don't really need any help this season; (2)The CBJ don't want to part with any picks or prospects for a short-term rental because (see #1); (3)The CBJ roster is still young and a "real playoff run" is likely a season or two in the future. So, basically, there's no need to go "all in" this trading deadline for the Jackets. Plus, a player like Bjorkstrand (who was expected to contribute this season but was in the minors until recently) could be seen as an offensive boost for the remainder of this season. But if you really want the CBJ to make a transaction, there's this waiver wire pickup from yesterday: http://www.jacketscannon.com/2017/2/27/14752418/columbus-blue-jackets-claim-center-zac-dalpe
March 1, 20178 yr The Jackets did make one deadline deal today after all. It's not a biggie, but its a goodie. A swap of lower-pair defensemen with New Jersey: Dalton Prout for Kyle Quincey, straight up! You can see the rejoicing at http://www.jacketscannon.com/2017/3/1/14780734/blue-jackets-trade-dalton-prout Many CBJ fans at the Jackets Cannon have rightly bashed the CBJ front office for resigning Prout for two more seasons at a nearly $1.6 mil/year cap hit. And that bashing was borne out when Prout played in only 15 of 61 games this season (mostly as a healthy scratch). This trade removes Prout's cap hit next season, Prout himself (who is just too slow and low-skilled for today's faster NHL), and adds a competent 31-year-old veteran rental defender in Kyle Quincey who is valuable as injury insurance down the stretch and in the playoffs. As for why the Devils would take Prout straight up for Quincey - are the Jersey Shore people running the New Jersey front office?
March 2, 20178 yr Wait. The CBJ swung one more deadline day deal. This one's for veteran depth on the offensive side: 21-year-old D Dillon Heatherington to Dallas for 30-year-old LW Lauri Korpikoski, straight up: http://www.jacketscannon.com/2017/3/1/14782356/dillon-heatherington-traded-to-dallas Heatherington was a 2013 2nd-round draft pick who the Jackets hoped would develop into a big (6'-4"-215) defensive presence. But much like Prout, he's not very mobile and doesn't seem to have NHL-level speed/skill. Heatherington was playing his second season with the AHL Monsters and had one goal and five assists in 38 games. Dallas needs defense prospects and Heatherington has been passed in the Jackets prospect depth chart, and thus expendable. Korpikoski was a 1st-round, 19th overall pick by the Rangers in 2004, who has played 600 games over 9 seasons with the NYR, PHX/ARI, EDM & DAL. He has 8 goals and 12 assists in 60 games with Dallas this season. He's also on a expiring contract - so this is another competent veteran rental who can be valuable as injury insurance down the stretch and in the playoffs. In fact, he fills a current gap on the 4th-line, since Calvert and Sedlak were both placed on the IR this week with oblique strains. Two solid moves for the Jackets. With Quincey and Korpikoski, the CBJ have stocked up for a playoff run without giving up anything valuable. The only possible downside is confusing Korpikoski and Korpisalo. Or as a Jackets Cannon poster put it - Korpi 2: Electric Boogaloo!
March 3, 20178 yr Intriguing goaltender matchups in the Jackets past two games led to a pair of 1-0 results against teams that will be making the playoffs. With the playoffs only a month and a few days from starting, the contending teams are starting to play "Stanley Cup Hockey": TUESDAY: 1-0 OT loss at Montreal; Bob and Price (two former Vezina winning goalies) battled to 0-0 in regulation; Montreal scored one minute into the OT, but replay showed the puck got knocked in with a glove and it was disallowed; the refs then gave Montreal a break with a BS "holding" penalty a minute later and Montreal scores on the power play for the OT win. Disappointing but still a good road point for the CBJ. THURSDAY: 1-0 win hosting Minnesota; Rematch of the New Year's Eve showdown in MIN did not disappoint; this season's Vezina favorite (Dubnyk) stonewalled the Jackets while Bob was BOB! for a second straight game; MIN thought they scored a goal in the second, but replay showed a Wild player kicked the puck into the net and it was disallowed; Saad ended up scoring the game-winning goal early in the third on a great individual effort that took advantage of Dubnyk's only mistake of the game; Saad shot the puck from the outside - Dubnyk was unable to glove it and it dropped at his feet - Saad continued to the net and swiped at the loose puck as he skated past - and the puck just barely goes over the goal line for the 1-0 win! Going into tonight's games, the CBJ are 40-16-6 (86 points). That moves them to 2nd in the Metro (2 pts up on PIT and NYR). The CBJ are back up to 3rd overall in the league (7 pts behind the league-leading Caps and 2pts behind MIN) and are 6-2-1 in their last 9 games.
March 7, 20178 yr The Jackets mid-season mojo looks like its returning. The CBJ are 4-1-1 over the past six games. They've given up 0, 2, 1, 0, 3, 0 goals over those six games. And they've outscored opponents 18-6 over that six-game stretch. Here are the recaps for the two weekend games: SATURDAY: Hard-fought 3-2 loss at Ottawa; Korpisalo was in net and did well - stopping 24 of 26 shots - but a late empty-netter proved to be the game-winner for Ottawa, who is fighting to stay above the playoff line. SUNDAY: 3-0 dismantling win at New Jersey; NJ plays a suffocating defensive style - but it was the Jackets who ground down NJ with two goals in the second and another in the third; Bob stopped 20 of 20 shots for the shutout. Sergei Bobrovsky was named one the NHL's three stars for last week. Bob stopped 87 of 88 shots in three games. He had back-to-back shutouts on Thursday and Sunday. The only goal he gave up was Montreal's OT power-play goal on Tuesday! Top Cop Bob is on the beat!!! The CBJ return to CBUS to host New Jersey tonight (finishing a road-and-away back-to-back with them). Then its a home-and-away back-to-back against Buffalo; Friday at home, Saturday at Buffalo.
March 7, 20178 yr It's been nice to see them climb back into the #3 spot ... but it's just hard to believe that notwithstanding that incredible win streak of ours earlier this season, we're still just #3 and Washington is so far out in front at this point. Still [knock on wood] we've stayed reasonably healthy and have managed to get a lot of value from people that we aren't paying fortunes for, which has allowed us depth that we haven't had in previous seasons. That said, still hard to say that we're in playoff form.
March 8, 20178 yr Nothing gets past Top Cop Bob when he's on the beat!!! Another shutout by Bobrovsky last night against the Devils. Third straight shutout for Bob (which is a new record for him and ties the franchise record set by Steve Mason). Bob's gone 179 minutes, 29 seconds without allowing a goal. (It’s the second-longest streak this NHL season, behind Devan Dubnyk, who went 183 minutes, 16 seconds.) And its just behind Steve Mason's franchise record of 199 minutes, 19 seconds set during his amazing 2008-09 rookie season: http://www.dispatch.com/sports/20170308/michael-arace-bobrovsky-shows-up-stops-puck-every-game Last night's 2-0 win gave Bob his 35th win of the season. He's now 35-13-4 and passed Mason's previous franchise win record from 2008-09. Bob gave the CBJ an opportunity to win this game in the final period when Gagner sent a sweet pass to Bjorkstrand for a sniping goal. Aktinson added an empty-netter, for his 30th goal of the season, to clinch it: http://www.jacketscannon.com/2017/3/7/14850286/recap-bobrovksy-does-it-again-jackets-beat-devils-2-0
March 13, 20178 yr The CBJ played a home-and-away back-to-back with Buffalo on Friday and Saturday. After those games, I'm glad we won't be facing these Sabres in the playoffs! FRIDAY: 4-3 win; Bob's scoreless streak ended 2:50 into the game (so Mason's 199 minute, 19 second franchise record still stands). Then Savard and Foligno score two to take the lead into the first intermission. In the second period, Buffalo ties it back up, but the CBJ regain the lead into the second intermission. Buffalo ties it back up again, but Jenner scores the game-winner with just over five minutes left. Tough CBJ win that was aided by two power-play goals. SATURDAY: 5-3 loss; Started out as a battle-of-backup-goalies. But the Jackets chased Buffalo's backup from the net on 3 goals in the first period to take a 3-0 lead into the first intermission. The second period was a parade to the penalty box that saw the Sabres tie it back up on three goals (the first was 18 seconds into the period, the last with only 3 seconds remaining!). Buffalo wins it in the third on a power-play goal with 2:29 remaining and an empty-net goal with 4 seconds left. That tough Saturday game hurt beyond the loss. Ryan Murray took a shot to his right hand during a penalty kill early in the first period. He finished his shift but immediately went to the locker room, unable to hold the stick with his right hand. The Jackets confirmed this morning that Murray's hand was broken, that he had surgery today, and would be out for 4-6 weeks. This 4 to 6 week time period would have Murray out for the rest of the regular season - but possibly available for the first playoff round. (That Kyle Quincey pickup comes in very handy now.) Other injury news: Cam Atkinson required 17 stitches to his left shoulder after he was stepped on in Saturday's game in the second period. But he returned for the third period and shouldn't miss any games. According to pre-game reports, Josh Anderson and Matt Calvert are expected to return from recent injuries and draw into tonight's lineup at Philadelphia.
March 14, 20178 yr The CBJ managed an ugly but effective 5-3 win last night at Philadelphia. Ugly because of another parade to the penalty box that saw the Flyers get eight power-plays to the Jackets two. Effective because the scored the game-winning goal in third period in one of their two PP's. Atkinson got two goals (32 for the year); Werenski had a goal, assist and a +3 rating; Dubinsky and Werenski reached the 10-goal mark (a mark that 11 CBJ players have reached this year! - talk about balanced scoring!): http://www.jacketscannon.com/2017/3/13/14918068/quick-takes-jackets-set-franchise-record-with-5-3-win-over-flyers Last night's win set two franchise records: 44th win and 94th point earned - which eclipses the previous record of 43 wins and 93 points from the Jackets last playoff season of 2013-14. And there’s still 14 games to go in this regular season!
March 14, 20178 yr It's been nice to see them climb back into the #3 spot ... but it's just hard to believe that notwithstanding that incredible win streak of ours earlier this season, we're still just #3 and Washington is so far out in front at this point. Still [knock on wood] we've stayed reasonably healthy and have managed to get a lot of value from people that we aren't paying fortunes for, which has allowed us depth that we haven't had in previous seasons. That said, still hard to say that we're in playoff form. Banner installed over the weekend near the corner of Third and Long. Photo from http://www.columbusunderground.com/whos-ready-for-the-stanley-cup-playoffs-jp1
March 14, 20178 yr So I've lost track, where do we stand now on injuries and expected returns from injuries?
March 14, 20178 yr So I've lost track, where do we stand now on injuries and expected returns from injuries? Murray - out for 4-6 weeks; out for the rest of the regular season - possibly available for the first playoff round. Calvert - returned last night after missing 9 games with oblique strain Anderson - returned last night after missing 4 games(?) with undisclosed injury Sedlak - out since 2/18 with oblique strain, unknown return timetable Foligno - held out last night due to undisclosed illness, probably will return for Thursday's game
March 16, 20178 yr So I've lost track, where do we stand now on injuries and expected returns from injuries? Murray - out for 4-6 weeks; out for the rest of the regular season - possibly available for the first playoff round. Calvert - returned last night after missing 9 games with oblique strain Anderson - returned last night after missing 4 games(?) with undisclosed injury Sedlak - out since 2/18 with oblique strain, unknown return timetable Foligno - held out last night due to undisclosed illness, probably will return for Thursday's game Scratch Sedlak from that injury list. Today's pre-game news is that he's practicing with the team again and available to play. Sedlak will likely be extra forward tonight - as the CBJ are now carrying 14 healthy forwards (including Foligno, who is listed in tonight's projected lineup).
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