Game 44 Game Thread: San Jose Sharks at Columbus Blue Jackets

by Dan P. on Jan 14, 2012 6:00 PM EST in Game Threads

The Blue Jackets don't get much time to savor last night's win, as they're right back at it tonight against the Sharks. San Jose is one of the league's hottest teams right now, and the Jackets played them well just a few games ago out in California. Columbus also looked like a team refreshed last night, skating fast and setting up glorious scoring chances most of the night against Phoenix.

However, this is a completely different animal. The Sharks are more rested, having spent the night in Columbus preparing for tonight's game. The Sharks are playing stifling defense right now. The Sharks have only lost once in regulation in 14 games.

In short, Columbus is going to have to bring their full-on, 60-minute A-game to win tonight. And, to this point in the season, no one really knows if such a game exists for the Jackets.

Derick Brassard looks to continue his improved play after having his best game of the season last night. He centers the top line again, and looks to continue his chemistry with Rick Nash. The second line of Tomas Kubalik, Antoine Vermette, and Ryan Johansen looked good last night, with Kubalik getting his first NHL goal. They're going to have to again contribute on the score sheet for the Jackets.

If Columbus can put together another great game tonight, it will go a long way toward the ongoing rebuilding process of this team's psyche. Here's hoping...

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Double minor on Nash – not good. I would be hugely surprised if the Sharks don’t score here.

by Ville A on Jan 14, 2012 7:16 PM EST reply actions

Good effort on the PK, Sanford was good, and we got a few chances going the other way.

…I still don’t see why that was a double minor. There was clearly contact with the end of the stick and the face, but why the double minor? I’ve seen guys do a lot worse things go for just 2 min.

by Josh Owen on Jan 14, 2012 7:23 PM EST up reply actions

I guess there was blood…

by Ville A on Jan 14, 2012 7:23 PM EST up reply actions

Good save by Sanford there! We’ll need a lot of those tonight I think.

by Ville A on Jan 14, 2012 7:18 PM EST reply actions

Great work by MacKenzie to draw that penalty. That man just never gives up on a play, he just keeps moving his feet.

by Ville A on Jan 14, 2012 7:28 PM EST reply actions

Jackets PK looking good...

They’re helped out with solid play in net, but good effort on the PK.

Still, we’ve gotta stay out of the box tonight…giving that Sharks PP more chances is not going to be pretty. Thortnton, Marleau, Boyle, Burns….that unit is scary

by Josh Owen on Jan 14, 2012 7:39 PM EST reply actions

Yes, the Sharks are relentless. nothing spectacular, but the just keep coming. So far though, I think that we are holding our own on the 5 on 5 play, so if we can stay out of the penalty box, like you said, we may do okay. Brass has been good again tonight and Kubalik and Johansen looking strong on the cycle. Pretty good energy for a back to back night but we’ll see how they hold up in the third.

by Ville A on Jan 14, 2012 7:47 PM EST up reply actions

My thoughts exactly. They apply a constant pressure on the power play, I’d like to see that minimized for the rest of the game…we can’t give them three chances per period and expect to win.

I’ve been impressed with Brassards play too, he’s been a whole new man since the coaching change. Sanford has made some good stops too…looks like he brought his “A” game tonight.

by Josh Owen on Jan 14, 2012 7:58 PM EST up reply actions

Byers will probably get suspended for that hit, it didn’t look pretty.

by Ville A on Jan 14, 2012 8:09 PM EST reply actions

It was ugly…especially in slow motion. He did put his head down though, if he was standing upright thats a clean hit. Desjardins never saw it coming.

I get sick and tired of the NHL sometimes, everyone cries about concussions, that’s not without basis, but they’re so damn hypocritcal about player safety.

If you don’t suspend Milan Lucic, who is a complete goon, for laying out Ryan Miller, how can you discipline anyone else with a straight face?

by Josh Owen on Jan 14, 2012 8:14 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, I can’t see the logic in the Shanabans anymore.

by Ville A on Jan 14, 2012 8:16 PM EST up reply actions

Given the problems with concussions, I can understand it. But it’s not uniform, certain guys get away with murder (Lucic) and other guys get crucified. Wiz’s hit on Cal Clutterbuck(one of the dirtiest guys in the league) was retaliation for a nasty hit on Tyutin, he gets suspended for 8 games. Lucic just freight trains Ryan Miller, unprovoked, just being a goon, and he gets off scot free.

I’m all for player safety, and concussions are far too prevalent. Discipline for dirty hits is necessary, but fairness and uniformity is needed

by Josh Owen on Jan 14, 2012 8:25 PM EST up reply actions

I wonder if the NHL will take a serious look at some new rules this summer because the Shanabans don’t seem to be working. There has been talk of bringing back the red line offside but that would slow the game down so we’ll see. Clearly all these concussions are a major problem

by Ville A on Jan 14, 2012 8:29 PM EST up reply actions

I agree that fairness is needed, but I think it’s important to note that the Wiz hit happened after the play, after the horn had sounded. I think that changes it (for me anyway) relative to the other suspensions. That’s not to say that I condone ugly hits during the play, but if you’re hitting after the horn has sounded that’s awful.

CCT, CBJ, SU, NYM, Bills Fan. It can be depressing.
Sometimes I tweet things

by zekebud on Jan 14, 2012 8:30 PM EST up reply actions

Another great PK/ Let’s hope they have some gas left for the third period. It just seems like there is a “new” energy with this team now. Let’s hope it lasts. I know that it may mess up our draft pick if we start to play better, but it’s so hard to watch them play badly that this is really refreshing. I am starting to care again, and even if they don’t win at least I don’t have to be embarrassed.

by Ville A on Jan 14, 2012 8:20 PM EST reply actions

So now that I’ve missed most of the game, how has it been so far? Is it really as bad as the shot differential makes it seem?

CCT, CBJ, SU, NYM, Bills Fan. It can be depressing.
Sometimes I tweet things

by zekebud on Jan 14, 2012 8:24 PM EST reply actions

A bunch of penalities is the reason for the lopsided shots so far, but some great PKs by the CBJ and stellar play by Sanford has kept them in the game.

by Ville A on Jan 14, 2012 8:26 PM EST up reply actions

Goal for the Sharks. You can only give up so many penalties before that happens.

by Ville A on Jan 14, 2012 8:30 PM EST reply actions

Yep, they’ve been playing with fire for a while now, that needs to stop.

Fingers crossed they can even this thing up before the end of the period

by Josh Owen on Jan 14, 2012 8:31 PM EST up reply actions

And of course the Sharks score when I finally get to tune in. Feel free to blame me for this.

CCT, CBJ, SU, NYM, Bills Fan. It can be depressing.
Sometimes I tweet things

by zekebud on Jan 14, 2012 8:31 PM EST reply actions

You give up 6(I’m counting 6 anyways, maybe 7?) powerplays in the first two periods….those guys will find the net eventually.

by Josh Owen on Jan 14, 2012 8:34 PM EST up reply actions

Nice play late in the 2nd and nearly a goal if Tyutin could have elevated or put a bit more on that shot. Good work swinging the puck along the width of the rink.

CCT, CBJ, SU, NYM, Bills Fan. It can be depressing.
Sometimes I tweet things

by zekebud on Jan 14, 2012 8:36 PM EST reply actions

Tuytin should have scored there. Great passing play though which is good to see.

by Ville A on Jan 14, 2012 8:36 PM EST reply actions

I agree. Brass is a great playmaker. How do you get that look at a wide open net….and whiff?

by Josh Owen on Jan 14, 2012 8:40 PM EST up reply actions

With all the injuries we have and the numerous penalties in this game we are still in this game which is pretty amazing.

by Ville A on Jan 14, 2012 8:38 PM EST reply actions

It’s too early to tell what’s going on here…late-season “surge”?, luck?, actual coaching?, but the Jackets are looking like a TEAM. Their offense is still struggling to put points on the board, but they actually look like they’re trying, and the defense has looked sharp and Sanford has been pretty solid ever since Richards took over. Again, can’t really give the new coach full marks yet, but he might actually have them playing decent hockey.

They’re starting to look like a cohesive unit, rather than a group of individuals, and that’s a good start in my book.

by Toxichighway on Jan 14, 2012 8:56 PM EST reply actions

Another fab pass by Brass – too bad that #40 had to take the shot.

by Ville A on Jan 14, 2012 9:10 PM EST reply actions

Having criticized Nash a lot this year, I have to say that he has looked really good lately. I wonder how he has been affected by not having Carter on his line? I think it has been good for him because he is not looking to see what Carter is doing or if he should try to pass him the puck. When Carter returns I think that they should play on different lines. Carter and Johansen could be really good together I think, if Brassard and Nash continues to play together.

by Ville A on Jan 14, 2012 9:15 PM EST reply actions

Darn it, they score. I really thought we might get a point tonight.

by Ville A on Jan 14, 2012 9:23 PM EST reply actions

yeah….but given the injuries this team is fighting through, no Carter, no Umberger, no Letestu, no Wiz, I will take a hard fought 1-2 loss to one of the best teams in the NHL anyday.

by Josh Owen on Jan 14, 2012 9:29 PM EST up reply actions

Oh well, another loss, so Fail4Nail is still on but I still feel that they are playing better, especially considering all the current injuries.

by Ville A on Jan 14, 2012 9:29 PM EST reply actions

Agreed. Although I like to see them playing well…it gives us hope for next year. I just hope the light at the end of this tunnel isn’t a train.

…this also makes it difficult to determine what this team does at the trade deadline, do you trade Brassard as everyone thought previously? I would hate to see him go given his efforts these last few games.

I just have this sinking feeling that these guys will start to gel, and then get blown up before the trade deadline.

by Josh Owen on Jan 14, 2012 9:33 PM EST up reply actions

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