Being a blog about the Columbus Blue Jackets and being read primarily by Blue Jackets fans, it’s perfectly natural that our focus remains inside our own lines. However, this season, we’ll take a peek over the breastworks to see just what the opposition is doing. This bi-weekly series will give a our fellow Cannonites a little intelligence on the rest of the Metropolitan Division
*Results listed through 10/9 through 10/26
Carolina Hurricanes
10/11 – Beat New York Islanders
10/12 – Loss to Columbus
10/15 – Beat Los Angeles
10/16 – Loss to San Jose
10/18 – Loss to Anaheim
10/24 – OT Loss to Columbus
10/26 – Beat Chicago
Landmasses help slow hurricanes and Columbus certainly poked the eye of this storm. The Jackets beat Carolina twice and contributed to the Canes current three game slide. Carolina has had a bit of a goal downturn: they scored 22 goals in their first 5 games and only 11 goals in their next 5 games. Beating Chicago might right the ship.
Where they rank in the Metro: Top three
Trending: Down
CanesCountry General Mood: “Great game. Made the gridlock in the parking lot after game bearable.” That’s some serious relief after your team wins with a shutout. I’ll feel that way after the CBJ score 2 PP goals in a game.
New Jersey Devils
10/9 – Loss to Philadelphia
10/10 – SO Loss to Edmonton
10/12 – Loss to Boston
10/14 – Loss to Florida
10/17 – Beat New York Rangers
10/19 – Beat Vancouver
10/25 – Loss to Arizona
The Devils’ schedule picked up but their defense and goaltending didn’t get the memo. New Jersey had its own losing streak – in which they allowed 17 goals – before getting off the hook with a pair of wins. Taylor Hall leads the team in scoring, but he can’t be liking the trajectory of the rest of the team so far.
Where they rank in the Metro: At the bottom
Trending: Even
All About the Jersey General Mood: “At least they didn’t overpay for Bobrovsky.” That’s one way to approach acceptance of your team’s poor goaltending.
New York Islanders
10/11 – Loss to Carolina
10/12 – Beat Florida
10/14 – Beat St. Louis
10/17 – Beat Winnipeg
10/19 – Beat Columbus
10/24 – Beat Arizona
10/25 – Beat Ottawa
The Islanders are on a pretty good win streak now and are doing it as they did last season. The Islanders are 3rd in the league in GA and have a Top 3 power play unit. During their current win streak, they haven’t scored more than 4, but haven’t allowed more than 2 goals per game.
Where they rank in the Metro: Top three
Trending: Up
Lighthouse Hockey General Mood: “He’s such an awful coach, he really is…”. This is about Barry Trotz. In the midst of a winning streak.
New York Rangers
10/12 – Loss to Edmonton
10/17 – Loss to New Jersey
10/18 – Loss to Washington
10/20 – Loss to Vancouver
10/22 – OT Loss to Arizona
10/24 – Beat Buffalo
After a light schedule to start the season, the Rangers might have been lulled to sleep. A five game losing streak commenced before Buffalo let them off the hook. Their problem has been defense, as they gave up 20 goals during the streak. Henrik Lundqvist is the starter, but Alexendar Georgiev has out performed him in his games. Don’t see King Henrik being removed from the throne any time soon, though.
Where they rank in the Metro: At the bottom
Trending: Down
Blueshirt Banter General Mood: “In a vacuum, divorced from cultural or commercial impact or influence, Charles Mingus’ The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady is the greatest musical work in any genre, and one of the greatest works of art in any medium.” That’s such a heavy statement to make that I feel you folks should debate it. I’ve never heard of him.
Philadelphia Flyers
10/9 – Beat New Jersey
10/12 – SO Loss to Vancouver
10/15 – Loss to Calgary
10/16 – Loss to Edmonton
10/19 – Loss to Dallas
10/21 – Beat Vegas
10/24 – Beat Chicago
10/26 – Beat Columbus
The Flyers had only played ONE game 2 weeks ago. Things have picked up in a hurry as they’ve knocked out 8 games in just over 2 weeks. Philadelphia has shown to be a streaky team early on – Lost 4, Won 3 – but they’ve still played fewer games than anyone in the Metro. Hard to say anything poor about a team that just smacked around the Blue Jackets.
Where they rank in the Metro: Mid-table
Trending: Up
Broad Street Hockey General Mood: “Done with the carter hart experiment for this year.” This is my favorite Flyer fan tradition – bailing on your goalie as soon as you can.
Pittsburgh Penguins
10/10 – Beat Anaheim
10/12 – Beat Minnesota
10/13 – Beat Winnipeg
10/16 – Beat Colorado
10/18 – Beat Dallas
10/19 – Lost to Vegas
10/22 – Lost to Florida
10/23 – Lost to Tampa Bay
10/26 – Beat Dallas
It’s an update of streaks. Pittsburgh ran off 5 in a row during this session and then promptly lost 3 straight. Dallas cures all ills these days, so perhaps the Penguins are about to start another run. The team is still missing some key cogs but is holding steady. Jim Rutherford managed to find one patsy to dump one of his contract mistakes on as the Pens traded Erik Gudbranson to Anaheim for…it doesn’t matter.
Where they rank in the Metro: Mid-table
Trending: Even
Pensburgh General Mood: “Desperate Ducks Deal for Defenseman Done.” I appreciate good alliteration concerning a trade.
Washington Capitals
10/10 – Loss to Nashville
10/12 – Beat Dallas
10/14 – Loss to Colorado
10/16 – Beat Toronto
10/18 – Beat New York Rangers
10/20 – Beat Chicago
10/22 – Beat Calgary
10/24 – OT Loss to Edmonton
10/25 – Beat Vancouver
The Capitals continued plowing through their heavy October schedule. They had a 4 game win streak in the middle of this 9 game slate. They remain at the top of the Metro, though they have played more games than anyone. Still, even if Carolina (the 2nd place team right now) won both of its games in hand – the Capitals would only be sharing the top spot. Defenseman John Carlson continues his march towards the Norris, Hart, Vezina, Byng, and whatever else you want to give him – he has 21 points in 13 games.
Where they rank in the Metro: Top of the Metro
Trending: Up
Japers Rink General Mood: “I missed a hell of a third apparently.” The Caps made a huge comeback to beat Vancouver.
This is the state of the Metropolitan Division.
Here’s your palate cleanser.