Game 10 Recap: Jackets ineffective on all levels

by DBrowne on Oct 31, 2010 10:17 AM EDT

(Editor's note: Since I couldn't watch the game due to work, Dannie was good enough to fill in for a guest post. Thanks again! - Matt)

It started off innocent enough and not unlike many nights for the Blue Jackets. After one period, the Jackets headed to the visitor's locker room in the Pepsi Center down by a score of 1-0. Despite leaving the period trailing, it was not for lack of trying; they unloaded eleven shots on Avs goaltender Peter Budaj, but none made it through. Even through the first part of the second period, despite allowing a goal when Rusty Klesla joined Marc Methot in the box to make it 2-0 Colorado, the Blue Jackets seemed poised and continued to take shots on Budaj. At the exact midpoint of the game, former Jacket prospect David Liffiton unleashed a shot from the point that snuck through traffic to whiz past Steve Mason and quickly end any attempt to wrangle the game for Columbus.

Just 44 seconds later, Paul Stastny went stick-side on Mason to sneak one through and effectively end the goaltender's night, as Arniel pulled him in favor of Mathieu Garon. Garon settled things down for the remainder of the game, but the damage had been done. He allowed one goal, early in the third, when a careless defensive move by Anton Stralman allowed a Cody McLeod shot to careen off his skate and into a vulnerably open net. A minute and a half later, the Jackets were able to score a power play goal off Derick Brassard's stick. Brassard was relentless even on a bad night, and combined with his linemates to have 14 shots on goal. If not for Budaj's solid play turning away 33 of their 34 shots, they might have kept the game in their hands. The offensive attempts were there, but it was their defensive weakness that hurt them, looking overwhelmed and almost lost at times. It was yet another game of the Jackets being unable to control a game, but with less fortunate results than the last week.

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Time for old school remedies!

(Note: Nash “The Wonder Dog!” is hiding under the couch because after last night he thinks I changed his name to “A$$hole!”, so I will fill in for him with a Sunday morning rant! — Mike)

Watching last night’s “Debacle in Denver” , I found myself yearning for the “good old days” of the 2000 season — Not much NHL level talent, but they showed up every night and skated their hearts out. After 10 games I see a very disturbing pattern emerging again, one that got Hitch fired last year — Where the hell is the heart, pride and effort with these bozos? Did you watch that first Jacket PP? I saw more urgency at my grandson’s 7th birthday party at the Chiller as they chased after little Sally! If the supposed Top Six had a hit last night, it must have been by mistake! The list could go on and on but it will ruin the buzz of two jiggers of JD in my Geritol.

Being old and old school, and if I was Emperor of CBJ:

1. Today would be a manditory all hands on the ice bag skate, not a day off like yesterday. No game planning, no Xs and Os…pure “motivation”!

2. Voracek gets my “hair shirt” award and a seat in the press box for Tuesday’s game. I would suggest that any dreams of early contract extensions would be on the back burner, eh?

3. Nash gets moved to the 4th “energy” line as a reminder of the effort it takes, and of the effort he showed in the Olympics, to be successful and a leader in the NHL.

End of rant…for the moment!

(Matt…Ya gotta get your priorites straight. Work during hockey season? Geez! LOL)

by Nash "The Wonder Dog!" on Oct 31, 2010 11:16 AM EDT reply actions

You guys start paying me enough to quit my job and still pay my mortage and bills, and I’ll happily pursue Blue Jackets coverage 24/7. :)

Editor for The Cannon - A Columbus Blue Jackets Blog
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by Matt Wagner on Oct 31, 2010 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

The Jackets were simply outplayed last night vs the Avs. The A’s were the better team, and it showed.

The Avs have 5 players with 9 points or better this season. The Jackets top scorer, Chris Clark, has 6 points, all from assists. The next highest is Juice with 5, and he’s on the injured list. Kyle Wilson, who’s filling in for the injured Moreau, has had 3 points in 5 games. Nasher has 5 points in 10 games. Maybe make a little room on the roster for Wilson?

The Jacket’s normal top scorers are going to have to start scoring soon. Nasher failed on his breakaway last night, and this isn’t the first one this season. Jake, what happened this season?

by PomeroyCBJFan on Oct 31, 2010 12:04 PM EDT reply actions

Can someone please tell me which coach is assigned to what. Who runs the forwards, defense, PK, PP.

by murphy1724 on Oct 31, 2010 5:52 PM EDT reply actions

Boughner is working with forwards and the PP

Berry works with defense and the PK.

I believe that Hinote works specifically with video breakdowns and Arniel obviously goes with a bit of everything.

Editor for The Cannon - A Columbus Blue Jackets Blog
Follow me on Twitter (if you're in the mood to be bored!)

by Matt Wagner on Oct 31, 2010 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I think its time to the Umby for Captain campaign

he may not be as good as Nash, but by God you are going to get max effort out of him every night

Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene and Jerry Kramer
"Its too bad that NHL is taken because the National Football League has become the National Hypocrite League" Mark Schlereth
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan

by WVPiratesfan on Oct 31, 2010 7:34 PM EDT reply actions

From my seat, it comes down to our defense. We are seriously lacking the two way defensemen that all the great teams have. We need a guy other people are scared of, but can actually MOVE the puck.
Our defensemen are so prone to turnovers it’s a shame.
From my seat our offensive looked good enough to win an NHL game. Our D, not so much.

by hatemakerr on Nov 1, 2010 5:13 AM EDT reply actions

The problem last year was goaltending, defense & systems. This year the goaltending is decent & the new defense coach has done a great job. Last year except for a couple of youngsters struggling we were OK at forward. Under Noel things were starting to fall into place for the young players. Why didn’t Arniel continue what was started by Noel. Instead he changed all the lines, he’s got creative players on checking lines, depth players on #2 line & #2 PP, 2 of our best PK players don’t play on PK(61,50). Now we can’t score, we can’t forecheck, we’re not being creative, we have no PP & we have mediocre PK.
P.S. I’m starting to miss Claude.

by murphy1724 on Nov 1, 2010 9:01 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks Matt

Wasn’t Boughner a defenseman when he played & the top level of his coaching experience is junior. Go figure.

by murphy1724 on Nov 1, 2010 10:26 AM EDT reply actions

umm last i checked columbus is still 7-4

Columbus fans should be thrilled. being 1 point out of first place in the division… is it an eye popping start? no. is it a pretty darn good start for a team has missed the playoffs 8 out of nine seasons and picked in the top ten 9 out of 10 drafts. Sure columbus from what i hear ( i can’t see Jackets games anymore unless they are on vs or NHL network or playing detroit) they played poorly. it happens through out the season. rather than get upset over one loss vs a very talented Colorado team i would be pretty darn happy with the success the team is having so far this year.

by FFmorgan89 on Nov 4, 2010 6:21 PM EDT reply actions

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