Game 6 Recap: King Me
by Clint Clark on Oct 17, 2009 9:36 PM EDT
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Let the record show that on October 17, 2009, the Columbus Blue Jackets have less losses than the Ohio State Buckeyes. With the way the teams are playing, it may be that way into November.
It wasn't a pretty effort. This win was from grit and opportunity- this Jackets team can cash in on opportunities. For the first time in our history I am watching games assuming we are going to win. About 10 minutes in I thought we were clearly the better team and I knew we'd pull it out. This is new uncharted territory for me. For the next 8 years we might be watching games different.
Our Penalty Kill continues to be the asset of the year. We aren't just effective at killing penalties, but we create offense. This will be in the head of most PP units that we face. Rick Nash cashed in tonight on a short handed rush (kudos to Methot for driving the net). Rick Nash loves one on one hockey. That's why he thrives offensively on the PK. He made Justin Williams look silly tonight.
Mark Methot stood tall tonight in his first performance as Jan Hejda. I'm very confident that he'll fill Jan's role short term. 4-6 weeks won't be nothing. I think we'll be fine defensively- at least at home when we can dictate the matchups.
The defense was overall pretty quiet tonight. That's good news. If this i what Hitch can do with this patchwork D, I'd wonder what he could do if he had an all-star back there. Maybe, we'll find out at the trade deadline.
It was a quiet night from the second line tonight. I'm glad to see Jake get the empty netter. Sometimes that goose egg gets in your head, especially if you are a goal scorer.
While the wins are great, I'm starting to get a little concerned with Brassard. You can tell he's really pressing and our top line isn't creating a lot of even strength opportunities. I'd wonder if we could reunite the Goat Line for a couple games. Nash - Vermette- Juice, Chimera - Brassard - Voracek
You want some crazy lines... Nash - Vermette- Filatov, Chimera - Brassard - Voracek, Umberger - Pahlsson - Dorsett, Huselius - Murray - Torres. There are four lines you could roll.
It was only a couple games ago I mentioned the Jason Chimera left wing, rush, from the circle, top shelf slapper and then he goes and scores another one. This guy has a shot. It's great to see a healthy Chimmer. He has played well in all three zones and has made nice smart plays.
The PP was not good tonight, although Raffi managed to pot another one (another strong game from Raffi). The break-ins were the problems tonight. We didn't get good forward speed or get the puck deep. This was something we were much better at up to this point so hopefully it was a blip or a credit to LA's PK.
Mason made a couple saves tonight, but overall wasn't too tested. The only goal he gave up, he'd like to have back.
Mancrush of the Night: Sammy Pahlsson. This guy continues to play tremendous positional hockey. He's always in the right spot. He won't get noticed, but thinking ahead toward the stretch run and playoffs this guy will be very important.
Whipping Boy of the Night: Terrelle Pryor. I'm glad I'm not a college football fan or a Buckeye fan because my words this guy isn't getting it done. He's getting worse every possession. It'll be a couple down seasons for the Bucks, hopefully the Jackets can take advantage.
5 and 1. This honestly was my prediction, but I had no idea it would actually happen. I think the first 10 games of the season are wins from training camp and coaching. We are prepared better than at least 90% of the teams in the league and I think this start shows the value of Hitch.
Thoughts? Fire Away. Ready for another roadie? No more home openers... I think.
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Good Stuff
Had to miss the game tonight but great job of getting me up to speed. And I love the jabs you’ll take at college football. Im a fan of college ball but its got nothing on hockey. Its crazy more people dont take notice
by SMF360 on Oct 18, 2009 1:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
RICK NASH
WHAT A GOAL!!!! if you watch it from the overhead behind view (don’t know what to call it) you can see he does a terrific move and loses one defender and as he is drifting towards the net, uses one king as traffic and shoots around him on a backhand shot….so sweet.
Nash for 8 More, Baby!
by PhillyPhan85 on Oct 18, 2009 8:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought it was a great all around game. I was worried as I’m sure a lot of Jackets fans were when Hejda went down. I think Roy, Russell and Methot stepped up in this game and there really weren’t as many defensive lapses as one would have thought there might be without Jan. Russell must have been happy about that extension he signed.
Nash, what more can be said about him? I think he is turning into one of the best two way players in the game. The guys on NHL on the Fly said as much after the game last night. It was nice to see him make that move and score that goal, shorthanded no less. I think that is where he is most valuable to the team is on the penalty kill, it must mean a ton to the team that our leader is killing penalties and doing it well.
Raffi with the huge hit, Klesla with his strong D, the back checking of all four lines, the speed of the young guys, the goaltending… it’s all very impressive. I like the way this team looks so far this season, let’s keep it going.
by doug32674 on Oct 18, 2009 11:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Contract extensions
they seem to work. Remember Klesla netted the game winner against Minnesota to start the season. I definitely think it was encouraging for him to see the organization behind him.
Columbus til I die, Columbus til I die. I know I am, I swear I am, Columbus til I die!
by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Oct 18, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The biggest thing I felt was that I never missed Jan Hejda. I would have liked to have had him magically back, sure, but there was never a point where I said “Man, I wish Hejda was on the ice for that.”
I think the defense is really stepping up. I hope they can keep it up on the road.
by BZArcher on Oct 18, 2009 7:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think we handled last night’s game well. I didn’t get to watch but I listened to most of it online. It didn’t seem like we were in a lot of trouble throughout the game. With the road trip coming up we’ll have to deal with team’s intensity more because they want to please their fans.
We must be comfortable in the penalty box since we’re there a couple times a game. Hejda is really valuable and irreplaceable on the PK and we’re going to need him. There are definitely going to be situations where we’ll say Hejda would have done a better job than a Methot, or a Russell or a Roy.
Either way, Go Jackets! Another 3-1-0 on the road anyone?
Columbus til I die, Columbus til I die. I know I am, I swear I am, Columbus til I die!
by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Oct 18, 2009 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
3-1 would be a tough chore, but is the best case at the end of the trip. I’d worry about how our d stacks up when the opponents dictate the matchups. Staying out of the box will be essential. Rolling four lines will also be important. I’m not sure if we will see Filatov on the trip.
The Cannon -- A Columbus Blue Jackets Blog
by Clint Clark on Oct 18, 2009 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know, looking back, I don’t know why I said another 3-1-0 on the road. Its hard to do that when you only play 3 on the road to begin with…
Columbus til I die, Columbus til I die. I know I am, I swear I am, Columbus til I die!
by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Oct 19, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
… to follow up the shorty mentioned here, the 5-3 shorty just scored vs. Calgary was pretty jaw-dropping. I believe that fans will, indeed, need to watch games differently because this is a team that looks to be very good for a long time.
by MB_10 on Oct 20, 2009 10:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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