WaitingForNextYear

Every TuesdayOn Wednesdays after much family/holiday travel, WFNY’s The 5-Hole brings you up to date with the goings-on of the CBJ…

The Week That Was

Week: 2-1-0, 4 points
Overall: 16-16-4, 36 points (4th division; t11th conference)

The week started off with a whimper, and finished on a more solid note, as the Jackets got shut out, and then turned the tables on their next two opponents.

Tuesday, 12/23 in Columbus – Kings 3, Blue Jackets 0 (Box Score) – Highlights
Saturday, 12/27 in Columbus – Blue Jackets 3, Flyers 0 (Box Score) – Highlights
Monday, 12/29 in Los Angeles – Blue Jackets 2, Kings 0 (Box Score) – Highlights

Much like my travels this week, the Jackets have been all over the map. They were shut-out in two consecutive games, only to turn around and shut out two opponents in back to back games. They are in the midst of a six-game cross-country road trip as well, so they are literally all over the map.

Steve Mason has been the truth the past two games, pitching consecutive shut-outs. He’s run his record to 11-7-1, and continues to lead the NHL in goals-against average, and is tied for second in save percentage. Mason has replaced injured Derick Brassard as the Jackets’ latest Calder Trophy hopes, and even dreams of a Vezina Trophy (top goaltender) if this continues. The team plays better with Mason in goal, as is evidenced by their record with him in there. And, in the eight games lost with Mason playing, the Jackets themselves have scored only nine goals.

I was at the game on Saturday against Philadelphia, and the Jackets definitely skated with an edge. They were more physical than they had been in their two previous losses, and the played much better because of it. It was hardly the prettiest game, but they shut down a pretty solid Flyers team, only allowing them four shots in the final period. That physical, defensive effort seemed to continue against LA, where they held the Kings to only 24 total shots, inluding only six in the decisive third period. Steve Mason continues to make great saves, and when the defense picks up like it has these past two games, Mason is good enough to make even poorer offensive games (like Monday’s) stand up.

 

Up Next

The Jackets are still on the road, criss-crossing the country. They continue Wednesday night in Anaheim, and finish up the week on Friday in Colorado and Saturday in St. Louis. Viva frequent flyer miles!

Full Schedule

 

Who’s Hot, Who’s Not

Hot: Steve Mason. Riding two straight shut-outs and sporting league-leading numbers, Mase has almost firmly established himself as the #1 goalie for this team for now and for the foreseeable future. Each game moves Pascal LeClaire closer and closer to “trade bait” status.

Not: Offensive effort. In the last four games, the Jackets have scored 4 goals that weren’t empty net goals, getting shut out in two of those games. Mason has been good, but he can’t carry them to the playoffs. Someone is going to have to step up and score, and perhaps GM Scott Howson is going to have to go out and pick up some additional scoring help if they want to make a playoff push this year.

 

Injury Update

The club suffered no additional major injuries this week and also got Derek Dorsett and Rostislav Klesla back, but are still without Jason Chimera and Raffi Torres, along with the big loss of Derick Brassard. Klesla did take a puck to the face against LA and got stitches, but is not believed to be out.

Winger Jakub Voracek also took a big hit against Philadelphia and is listed as questionable against Anaheim on Wednesday due to an “upper body injury”.

 

Quotes of the Week

We’re all interested to see how the team is going to respond. You can’t get in the playoffs with a good trip, but you can put yourself at a big disadvantage if this trip doesn’t go well.
–GM Scott Howson, talking about the importance of the current six-game road trip.

The significance of the trip, to me, is that we’re playing almost every game against a team that’s right around us in the standings. It’s Los Angeles, Anaheim, St. Louis, Colorado … they’re right there with us, and this is the time to make a move. We have a presentable home record. We have to step up and have a better road record. There aren’t many playoff teams who can play 10 or 12 games under .500 on the road.
–Coach Ken Hitchcock, also talking about the current road trip.

I try not to look at the numbers. I look at them every once in a while, but that can be a bad thing. I just want to keep working hard. The wins (are) what I’m most proud of. Eleven wins is pretty good so far. We still need a lot more to make the playoffs, but it’s been a pretty good start to my career.
–Steve Mason, reflecting on his solid play.

Link of the Week

Because USA Today was so good to this column last week, I went back.

What To Keep An Eye On in 2009 [USA Today]

2. The Columbus Blue Jackets will consider a bold trade: The Blue Jackets have immensely loyal fans even though the team has never made the playoffs. Despite a major trade with the New York Rangers and the signing of Kristian Huselius, Columbus isn’t in a playoff position. The Blue Jackets’ road record is disastrous, and their scoring level isn’t where it needs to be. They are more than $6 million under the salary cap and probably owe it to their fans to make a deal. Defense wins championships, but scoring is needed to make the playoffs.