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Game 23 Recap: Back to Back Nightmares

The picture may be the only entertaining element to this game recap tonight. The Jackets fell to the Canadiens 5 to 3 on a combined effort of poor defense and a forgotten gameplan.

For the last two weeks, our play has really had me thinking. We have basically the same lineup as last year where we lived by the moniker "tough to play against." If anything moves like Pahlsson over Malhotra should have made us tougher to play against. It is not as if we have an influx of soft skill players, I'm not sure why we have been so bad from the red line back. We have been up more goals, more breakaway and than I can recall us ever having. There literally used to be games (last year) where you'd wonder if the other team could score two goals against us. Everything was that cohesive.

This should be fixed. I'm concerned that we have seen little improvement in these regards because this has been the story of the team since opening night. At least we won't be complacent.

Our first period was good. Our first periods have been pretty good this year, but what followed was not pretty.

Antoine Vermette played a solid, but yet uneven game. He potted two goals, which sure makes me excited about this center ice position we have discovered, but there were still defensive lapses. It was the best game out of the top line in a few games, so I guess that is a positive.

The second line has struggled to create consistent offense for us this year and I'm not sure what happened to the third line. For the first 3 weeks of the year the Samuel Pahlsson line was constantly creating offense and cycling. Dominating their shifts. Now they aren't drawing the opponents best players AND they are getting scored on.

There is just a weird feeling to this team... Our on the fly defensive changes seem more unorganized than years past. After the first period we abandon the game plan and stop hitting. Our goaltending is not great right now, but it is hard to judge since our team defense has been so bad. We give up so many odd man rushes. I can't comprehend it.

Mancrush of the Game: Anton Stralman, he again proves his worth on the powerplay after potting another. That right handed shot has done wonders for us. He is nice and calm with the puck, but he seems to get beat wide regularly.

Whipping Boy of the Game: Samuel Pahlsson. What are you for? That might seem harsh, but he is an NHL vet, who signed a big contract to shutdown the best players on the other team. That is obviously not happening. The third line hasn't had a goal in easily 10 games. This guy has to figure it out. Derek MacKenzie has done the same thing and makes a fraction of the dough.

Back to back disasters. What do you think the issue is with our tissue soft defense? Fire Away!

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Mason

Stick with Mason, kid played through mono last year and dang near won the vezina and did win the calder. Look at other goalies whose teams haven’t played great defense. Flower had a setback when the pens blue line was hurt, quick is having a tough time with out Ryan Smyth energizing the Kings, you gotta support the goalie especially Mase who has enormous talent.

Thing pahlsson was dead on he wins faceoffs and plays d and he needs to know that. He needs to get the memo, thats probably the biggest problem with a lot of teams is players trying to be something they are not.

by JMarushin on Nov 25, 2009 2:02 AM EST reply actions  

I think they just need to get back to basics. I’m afraid they’re using too many fancy moves to try to score, deke, get the puck out of the zone, and get away from defenders. Stop playing cute and start playing gritty!

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 Nov 25, 2009 9:02 AM EST reply actions  

I agree completely. They are trying to be too cute. They simply don’t have the talent to play that way. They need to grind it out, and the offense will be a by-product of that. It’s so easy to see it this season- when they play tough, they win. When they try to be fancy with puck, they lose. In embarrassing fashion I might add.

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by Mike MacLean on Nov 25, 2009 10:50 AM EST up reply actions  

Not to jump to conclusions, but considering the Canadiens have been looking to trade Jaroslav Halak before he chooses to leave on his own, he would be a very nice option if Mason and Garon continue to suffer. I was at the game last night and the goaltending was absolutely embarrassing, even when we were leading in the first and second periods. Garon is not the backup the Jackets need right now – I am willing to give Mason every chance he needs to develop into the number one he will eventually be. I’ve learned from canadiens fans’ mistakes of jumping off the Price bandwagon prematurely, and I have no doubt that Mason will bounce back, but he needs someone to back him up when he’s struggling. It doesn’t help that the players seem discouraged when they try their best and a weak shot trickles in.

Correct me if I’m wrong or jumping to any horrible conclusions – I’m taking the loss a little hard because all my friends are grilling me for cheering against the habs.

by tricolore_21 on Nov 25, 2009 9:13 AM EST reply actions  

I’m not ready to throw either goalie under the bus at the moment. Garon was a beast until last night. you can throw the Rangers game out the window for Garon because he came under fire seconds after going into the net stone cold. He didn’t play well last night, but he didn’t have much help either. As for Mase, he needs some tweaking. There is something not working there, and I’m sure it’s an easy fix-it just needs to be identified.

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by Mike MacLean on Nov 25, 2009 10:52 AM EST up reply actions  

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