More photos » Paul Vernon - AP

3 months ago: Columbus Blue Jackets' Derek MacKenzie, top, fights for the puck with Calgary Flames' Fredrik Sjostrom, of Sweden, in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

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Watching a 3-1 lead evaporate in a couple minutes and losing 4-3 in the shootout doesn't feel good. The crowd was loud and white. We have to continue to play a regular game down the stretch of the games. I look to the Coach. We need some solutions. We've had some consistent problems and we need some progress. The issues tonight are the same issues during this stretch. Let's go Coach

At times it was like looking in a mirror. Both teams have a similar attitude. When things aren't going well, they bend. They feed off of confidence, but are not mentally tough. If these teams want to make noise in the Western Conference, they'll need to figure this out. Come playoff time teams like Detroit and Chicago will be there and mentally ready for it.

The first period drew positive reports from the TV crew, but I thought it was terrible (for everybody outside of Mason). Calgary dominated us. We created zero offense. One of my biggest issues is that I'm not sure who we can give up so many high quality scoring chances, during times we are not creating any offense. What I mean by that is, we are giving up 2-1s and 3-2s... I ask myself how when there is nothing going on in the offensive zone can we give up numbers coming back?

It wasn't until we hit the twine that we actually started to look okay. This is the benefit of the great PP, but we need to be grow out of this stage. We have to be mentally tougher.

I was really intending on ripping Smamy Pahlsson's play again. Hitch matched our top line against Calgary's all night. What's Pahlsson for? Why has our PK gone down hill? It is not a coincidence that Pahlsson was one of our best players for the first month of the year. I noticed in the middle of the second he didn't take the faceoff. He might still be injured. If he's injured let him heal, it's a long season and he's not contributing much right now.

I thought Jason Chimera played a strong game, until the last 10 minutes (in which his line gave up two late ones). The plays start the same. Voracek checking a player to the right of Mason. Puck behind the net, puck moved to slot. That is the defenders and the centers spot. Not Chimmers though. So lets get to his positives tonight.

He was solid in all 3 zones and used his speed to create some offense. He is also (one of the few) who consistently gets the puck deep. When you watch our guys fumble it at the blueline or turn it over 5 feet in, you grow to appreciate a guy who does the smart play every time. He has two moves... the go really fast, turn and look for a trailer (only on the right wing) and if no trailer dump it deep OR the straight dump and forecheck. You get what you get with Chimmer and that's why I can appreciate him.

Umberger had a couple chances to win the game tonight. It just didn't happen. Olympics RJ. Olympics. Need to finish.

Mason again was abused on two behind the net plays. I was surprised to see Calgary not go there on the PP, but it will soon be a regular thing. Otherwise Mason played pretty good. He saved us in the first. The shootout wasn't very good. I think that is a good indicator of his confidence right now.

Nice to see Methot get a goal. I still remember the laser that was disallowed by a Jared Boll fight.

Mancrush: I'll give the nod to the fourth line. It was again strong. It has everything to do with MacKenzie at center. I'd let Picard take a turn over Blunden, who hasn't shown as much recently. The fourth liners have done everything you could ask for. Boll scoring has been a bonus. They've done their job and I don't think they have been scored against in a few games. (EDIT: They gave one up in Montreal)

Doghouse (formerly known as whipping boy): Sammy Pahlsson's again. Hitch matched our top line against Calgary's all night ( he did match up Pahlsson in OT... which didn't go well for us). What's Pahlsson for? Why has our PK gone down hill? It is not a coincidence that Pahlsson was one of our best players for the first month of the year. I noticed in the middle of the second he didn't take the faceoff. He might still be injured. If he's injured let him heal, it's a long season and he's not contributing much right now.

It drives me crazy that Nashville has passed us in the standings. Look at the two rosters. They get by ONLY on hardwork. St. Louis and Chicago are right around the corner so we will get a real good look at our Central Division. Comments? Fire Away!