Game 33 Open Thread: Jackets at Blues
by Mike MacLean on Dec 18, 2011 6:41 PM EST
in Game Threads
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PrintColumbus Blue Jackets at St. Louis Blues, Dec 18, 2011 7:00 PM EST
There's been one major development since the preview: according to Aaron Portzline of the Dispatch it looks like Steve Mason will get the start tonight, after Curtis Sanford experienced back spasms earlier today.
This is another chance for Mason to earn the number one job back. His performance between now and the end of the season will dictate whether he'll be back with the team next season. I'm pulling for him, but at this point it's a game-by-game audition. He's a good goaltender, but he needs to get some things sorted out.
Tonight would also be a good opportunity for the top line of Rick Nash, Jeff Carter and Vinny Prospal to have a truly dominant game. Talent-wise, they are one of the best in the league. Now it's time to prove it on a far more regular basis.
I put an end to my fearless predictions, but here's one anyway- James Wisniewski will score tonight.
See you after the game with the recap.
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I dont see how after alll we have been through this year that this could possibly be Arniels last game.It would be bad timing also. I think he will be fired, just not for awhile it seems
I think it might Arniel’s last game since there are several days until the next game. Nothing personal against the man, he seems like a good guy, but it’s time for the team to move on without him. Will a coaching change salvage the season? No, but why continue with a coach that is clearly not getting everything (or anything) out of his club and has had every possible chance to right the ship?
We had same break earlier in the season when our record was even worse.
Personally, i think since the season is already long lost, wait until after the Christmas break to fire him. Dont want to pull a NJD and fire him two days before Christmas.
Merry Christmas Arniel, your fired. Go home
Trying not to hurt his feelings is nice and all, but how about thinking of it as a Christmas present for the fans?
Via the CBJ Twitter: starters are: LW-Antoine Vermette, C-Samuel Pahlsson, RW-Derek Dorsett, D-Marc Methot and James Wisniewski, G-Steve Mason.
Scratches are: D Grant Clitsome, C Ryan Johansen and LW Kristian Huselius.
CCT, CBJ, SU, NYM, Bills Fan. It can be depressing.
Sometimes I tweet things
Apparently Arniel is too worried about blowing the Blues out that he doesnt want too much offense in tonight. Go figure. Those Blues are known to get blown out all the time, offense isnt really needed
Yeah, because Clitsome kinda sucks at defense and offense. At least Aaron Johnson may be okay at offense.
Clitsome hasn’t shown the same offensive ability that he had last year and yet he’s still tied for 9th on the team in scoring. I don’t like seeing him sitting out.
CCT, CBJ, SU, NYM, Bills Fan. It can be depressing.
Sometimes I tweet things
Mason has made saves on his first 6 shots – something he couldn’t do on his first five last night. Hopefully that means we get to watch good Mason tonight instead of abysmal Mason.
CCT, CBJ, SU, NYM, Bills Fan. It can be depressing.
Sometimes I tweet things
Mason is an exceptionally talented headcase – his game versus Vancouver was quite good and he shows flashes of his pure athletic skill. He just can’t get that space between his ears to work worth a damn.
CCT, CBJ, SU, NYM, Bills Fan. It can be depressing.
Sometimes I tweet things
I agree that he could be a good goalie and that the main issue is psychological, but there are also some major fundamental flaws in his physical game and that has not gotten a whole lot better in the last 2 seasons. How long do you give a guy a chance to improve, especially on such an important position?
Oh I absolutely agree that he needs to get shipped out – but there’s no doubting that he has flashes of brilliance in him. However, his inability to get mentally involved with a game on anything approaching a regular basis is pathetic.
CCT, CBJ, SU, NYM, Bills Fan. It can be depressing.
Sometimes I tweet things
CANNON BLAST!
DMac with a dirty goal. We don’t get those often.
Wiz doing nothing to cover Shattenkirk on that one. Sheesh.
CCT, CBJ, SU, NYM, Bills Fan. It can be depressing.
Sometimes I tweet things
Fear not – as a Bills and Mets fan I feel like I’m cursed too. My teams are the best at finding new ways to lose. So at least they’re good at something?
CCT, CBJ, SU, NYM, Bills Fan. It can be depressing.
Sometimes I tweet things
So far I think Carter’s line is looking better than Nash’s. I have to say that I am getting more and more disappointed in the captain’s performance. -16 this year – are you kidding me? I am wondering if he has given up on this team or if he is a big part of the problem. A lot of talent, but not a good 2-way player or playmaker. As I am saying this Carter and Nash are back together. I was kind of looking forward to seeing them split up.
I actually view Nash as a generally talented 2-way forward, but he seems to be moving slowly this year. While I do agree that Nash and Carter need to be split, but Arniel is all over the place with his lines.
However, it’s hard to see +/- as a very valuable statistic, even if it’s particularly large. Nash’s value is in 32 games and with tons of ice time. Cam Atkinson is -6 in 5 games, Wiz is -14 in 24 games. It’s a team with a huge overall negative goal differential – players with lots of ice time in many games will be negative. It happens, and even moreso when the goalies have such pathetic save % values.
CCT, CBJ, SU, NYM, Bills Fan. It can be depressing.
Sometimes I tweet things
Although i agree that +/- is not the most reliable stat, if said player continues to be a plus every year and another a minus, i think it can have some reliability. For example, Mackenzie seems to consistently be a plus each year. Leads team this year, and he either led or was high last year. Not sure about Nash, but this 16 is scary to look at in any sense. isnt as bad as it seems when looking at the big picture.
FWIW, I believe Wiz was a minus 12 or something in a span of 4 games. So his +/
Obviously, Nash takes on tougher competition (2nd hardest on team), and Mackenzie about easiest (4th easiest), but i still find it disheartening that he is so low in plus minus. Definately needs to get that up.
Yes +/- can be tricky to determine due to matchups etc. but the fact is that Nash’s production has been decreasing the last couple of season. Is he a great 2-way player? I know that Hitch used to claim that he made him into a great 2-way forward but I can’t say that i ever agreed with that. He still cheats a lot and makes more offensive turnovers than anyone on the club. I can’t back that up with any stats but it seems that he gives up the puck several times in every game when there is no reason to. Don’t get me wrong, Nash can be absolutely awesome but he is not the superstar the Canadian media makes him out to be. Do I think he should be traded? Probably not, but I think we could potentially get a lot in return if we did, and so far Nash has not been able to get this club where they should be.
Late to the party tonight...
There’s a lot of talk here and on Twitter circulating about Arniel possibly being shown the gate.
Was there something discussed in the pre-game show?
Just once I'd like someone to call me "Sir," without adding, "You're making a scene."
Bad call. Umby has to be more aware and he sold it. Ill take it though.
Horrible PP so far 45 seconds in
Carter is getting lots more SOG when Nash isnt out there. When Johan is back i want to see Johansen setting up Carter.
Nash not moving his feet at all on that 2 on 1. I am wondering if he is hampered by a minor injury? I thought I heard Arniel say something about some reoccurring thing.
Anyone know how Blues fans feel about Russell and the trade in general?
I would go to their blog, but im afraid that if i do they will throw every cuss word in the book at me. Seems like its in the rulebook over there that every post must include the F word or the S word. :)
That was a dandy with lots of good passing and hard work. Very nice!
CCT, CBJ, SU, NYM, Bills Fan. It can be depressing.
Sometimes I tweet things
Well there goes the fearless prediction.
Looks like Wiz won’t score after all if he is injured.
Hockey players are bilingual. They know English and profanity.
0 shots so far this period for Jackets. 6 for Blues.
And that folks, is why we are the worst team in the league.
I can’t help but blame the coaching on this. The players are somehow just not ready for the 3rd and it happens all the time. Coaching should find a way to fix this but they haven’t.
CCT, CBJ, SU, NYM, Bills Fan. It can be depressing.
Sometimes I tweet things
Mason is finding new and exciting ways to be disappointing. Now he’s starting strong and falling off the face of the earth! Sweet!
CCT, CBJ, SU, NYM, Bills Fan. It can be depressing.
Sometimes I tweet things
If he was safe after everything else this season who the hell knows?
CCT, CBJ, SU, NYM, Bills Fan. It can be depressing.
Sometimes I tweet things
Maybe you guys are right, but this is starting to get stupid. I am all for giving people second chances and sticking it out but come on something has to give, and if it’s not the coach then who?
Its kinda like we went into the third thinking “you know, we can win this, but do we really want to?”
Hey look at that....
Arniel is making a note that Brassard is slightly more valuable on the ice than in the press box
I really don’t like the Blues.
CCT, CBJ, SU, NYM, Bills Fan. It can be depressing.
Sometimes I tweet things
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