Running Down the Browns Pre-Draft Invitees (Part 2)
March 22, 2011Bruce Pearl Firing Completely Unrelated To Jim Tressel
March 22, 2011Every Tuesday, WFNY’s The 5-Hole brings you up to date with the goings-on of the CBJ…
The Week That Was
This Week: 1-2-1, 3 points
Overall: 33-29-10, 76 points (4th division; 12th conference)
Tuesday, 3/15 in Columbus – Bruins 3, Blue Jackets 2 – SO – recap
Thursday, 3/17 in Columbus – Red Wings 2, Blue Jackets 0 – (box) – Highlights
Saturday, 3/12 in Minneapolis – Blue Jackets 5, Wild 4 – OT – (box) – Highlights
Sunday, 3/20 in Columbus – Devils 3, Blue Jackets 0 – (box) – Highlights
I can say that, unlike points last season, I don’t think this team has quit. They’re just not there yet. And, while many fans believe you should just tank for a draft pick, for this team I think the best thing would be to keep pushing to the end. Much like their December swoon, it seems like the pressure situation of having 16 games in 31 days without time to rest and practice was what undid the Jackets this March. Obviously, this is something they have to overcome in the future, but I do have to say that it’s a positive that the haven’t completely mailed it in.
Over the last couple of weeks of the season, we’ll take a closer look at individual performances and areas with need of improvement. Until then…
Up Next
The Jackets have three more games this week, two of which are on the road. They are in Denver today to face the Avalanche (27-36-8, 62pts), and then head to Phoenix (39-24-11, 89pts) on Thursday. They are back in Columbus over the weekend, and host Vancouver (47-17-9, 103pts) on Sunday. Those last two are both solid playoff teams, so it will be interesting to see where the Jackets are in relation.
By The Numbers
Let’s take a quick look at the Jackets by the numbers, through 72 games:
Scoring:
2.65 gpg (22nd NHL)
Defense:
2.94 gapg (24th NHL)
Power Play:
14.4% (28th NHL)
Penalty Kill:
81.4% (19th NHL)
Goals Leader:
Rick Nash – 31
Assists Leader:
Rick Nash – 34
Points Leader:
Rick Nash – 65
Wins (Goalie):
Steve Mason – 23
Goals-Against Average:
Mathieu Garon – 2.65
Save Percentage:
Steve Mason, Mathieu Garon – 90.4%
Injury Update
The team is still without winger Kristian Huselius, defenseman Anton Stralman, forward Andrew Murray, and forward Chris Clark. Grant Clitsome was also injured on Saturday, and won’t be on the road trip. Stralman, however, is traveling with the team, and may play in one of the two road games this week.
Quote of the Week
Since we’re getting close to looking at the off-season needs and moves, let’s look at one guy who came over in a trade—Scottie Upshall—who is a free agent at season’s end. Should the Jackets take a look at trying to sign him?
I really like it here. It’s a great bunch of guys. It’s a fun group to be around on a daily basis, and that’s important. I’ve found that it’s been a good fit. It’s been an easy transition for me and Sami Lepisto (part of the trade with Phoenix) to come in here and be welcomed by the guys, the coaches, the staff, the management and the media. I guess what I didn’t really know about Columbus before I got here and became a Blue Jacket, was how awesome hockey is here. Abot how committed the fans are to the team and how exciting the games are. That’s important around a hockey team. That’s something that I look at as a positive being on this team.
–Forward Scottie Upshall, on his move to Columbus in a February trade.
…With a Little Help from My Friends
The Hockey Writers’ Rick Gethin continues on Scottie Upshall::
Upshall has an energy around him, even when he’s sitting still in his dressing room stall. It’s almost as if he’s ready to pounce. It’s clearly evident that he boasts as much pride as RJ Umberger, arguably the conscience of the club. Like Umberger, head coach Scott Arniel can slot Upshall in anywhere in the line-up and he gives 100% and doesn’t look out of place.
There hasn’t been this positive of a reaction to a trade since Umberger was brought on board. “It’s a promising thing being welcomed, not only by the team, but also the fans,” Upshall said. “It’s not easy when you get traded. For me to come in an receive positive reaction (from the fans), it’s nice.”
His gritty, two-way play fits in nicely with the system that Scott Arniel has in place.
That last bit is the kicker: this team has to identify players that best fit the new system that coach Arniel has put in place. Upshall is a 20-goal-scorer who fits the system, and plays a relentless style of hockey. Yes, please!