May 23, 2013

Jackets Finally Solve the Shoot-Out, Edge Panthers 3-2

March 29, 2011 by Leave a Comment

AP Photo/Jay LaPreteBlue Jackets 3, Panthers 2 – SO
(box) – Highlights
CBJ: 34-31-11, 79 pts

“Tonight was about trying some things different.” So said coach Scott Arniel afterward. With just seven games left on the schedule, the Jackets have been limping home. Awaiting them tonight in Nationwide Arena was a team from the Eastern Conference in the same boat. Columbus came in 10-3-2 against the East, and had already beaten Florida once this season. The Panthers came in with eight fewer points than Columbus, and just as bleak an outlook. Columbus came out early looking intent on bringing their best effort. But it would once again come down to a third period lead lost, and the Jackets struggling to put the puck in the net while staring the of-late nemesis—the shootout—squarely in the face.

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Bruins’ Rask Too Much As Jackets Fall Again in a Shoot-out 3-2

March 15, 2011 by 2 Comments

AP Photo/Jay LaPreteBruins 3, Blue Jackets 2 – SO
(box) – Highlights
CBJ: 32-27-10, 74 pts

The Jackets have been traditionally good against the East over the past four seasons. They would need that record to continue in a positive way, as they have gotten to the point of the season where they need two points basically every night.

They came out playing like they knew their playoff lives depended on it, registering eight of the first nine shots. And, while they had tons of chances to win this game in regulation and overtime, a hot opposing backup goaltender and their nemesis of late—the shootout—would decide it. It seemed early like the Jackets might be catching a break by facing Boston’s backup goalie, Tuukka Rask. At the end of the game, however, Rask would prove to be the difference.

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Bruins (Game #69) – Just Win, Baby

March 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment

jackets vs. bruinsBoston Bruins (38-21-9, 85pts) vs.
Columbus Blue Jackets (32-27-9, 73pts)
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
7:00 PM EST
TV: FSN-OH / Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)
WFNY Tickets – Follow me @WFNYDP from the press box tonight!

The projection seems to be that the Jackets have to win 10 or 11 of their last 14 games (think: 10-2-2 or 11-3 to get to 95 points). Well, they can’t win 10 games in one night. The first order of business is to win one game: the game in front of them. That’s tonight against another Eastern Conference foe, though this one is a division-leader. The Bruins are scuffling just a bit (0-2-2 in their last four), but prior to that had ripped off seven regulation wins in a row. Boston hasn’t played since Friday (loss to the Islanders), so they will be rested and ready to go.

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Oilers (Game #63) – Must-Win Time

March 3, 2011 by 6 Comments

jackets vs. bluesColumbus Blue Jackets (31-24-7, 69pts) vs.
Edmonton Oilers (21-35-8, 50pts)
Rexall Place, Edmonton, Alberta
Thursday, March 3, 2011
9:00 PM EST
TV: FSN-OH / Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)

The Jackets deserved a better fate on Tuesday night, givine the league-leading Vancouver Canucks all they could handle in their building, going to an eight-round shootout before falling. Still, the Jackets got a point that, on paper, they probably weren’t expected to get, and now have points in nine of their past 10 road games (6-1-3). Edmonton is at the bottom of the standings for the second straight year, and dealt away Dustin Penner on Monday. They’re also without several other key players. Even still, as the Jackets have learned at various points this year, Edmonton can still get after you with their young, talented, and speedy players. The Jackets need to bring their A-game, and more importantly given everything at stake, they simply HAVE to win this game.

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Jackets Ride Calvert’s Hat Trick Past Coyotes, 5-3

February 26, 2011 by 1 Comment

AP Photo/Jay LaPreteBlue Jackets 5, Coyotes 3
(box) – Highlights
CBJ: 31-23-6, 68 pts

We finally found a moment that looked too big for rookie winger Matt Calvert.

I wrote in my game preview that: “Calvert has been particularly impressive, as the rookie never looks overwhelmed. He skates hard, and wins battles for the puck despite his diminutive size. And, as Rick Nash pointed out Tuesday night after the game, his hands around the net have been as good as advertised.”

Three goals later, hats rained down from the Nationwide Arena rafters, and the look on Calvert’s face was priceless; he looked genuinely overwhelmed, alternating between a huge grin and an emotional expression. The only thing is: that’s one kind of overwhelmed you can live with. Calvert and the Jackets scored five unanswered goals after falling behind to keep their hot streak alive, and inched one step closer to the goal of the playoffs.

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Coyotes (Game #60) – Once More Into the Breach…

February 25, 2011 by 1 Comment

jackets vs. coyotesPhoenix Coyotes (33-20-9, 75pts) vs.
Columbus Blue Jackets (30-23-6, 66pts)
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Friday, February 25, 2011
7:00 PM EST
TV: FSN-OH HD / Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)
WFNY Tickets

It was January 11th when these teams last met, also at Nationwide. The Jackets had just come off of a horrific four game road trip, and did end up losing to the Coyotes that night on a fluky third period goal. But, coach Scott Arniel points to that game as a turning point as to when the team really got back to playing their style of hockey. The results would bear that out. In the 16 games since, the Jackets are 10-3-3. Advantage: Jackets? Maybe not so fast. The Coyotes have been as hot as anyone, finally losing on Wednesday in Tampa after ripping off eight straight wins.

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Third Period Surge Pushes Jackets Past Preds 4-0

February 22, 2011 by 2 Comments

Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty ImagesBlue Jackets 4, Predators 0
(box) – Highlights
CBJ: 30-23-6, 66 pts
What better way to kick off a huge stretch of games than to welcome in your arch-nemesis? So it was that the Nashville Predators invaded Nationwide Arena. Gone are the games the Jackets can look for positives in a loss; essentially every game from here on out feels like a must-win.

One thing we all knew is that it would be a physical, tight-checking game, as it always seems to be with these two squads. In that respect, they did not disappoint. But, in terms of the “must win” aspect of the game, when the third period and winning time rolled around, the Jackets announced that they got the message loud and clear.

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Kings (Game #57) – Every Point Matters

February 16, 2011 by 1 Comment

jackets vs. wildLos Angeles Kings (31-22-3, 65pts) vs.
Columbus Blue Jackets (28-23-5, 61pts)
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
7:00 PM EST
TV: FSNOH / Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)
WFNY Tickets

The Jackets have had a few days off after their stretch of six games in 10 days (5-1!). What’s their reward, the other hottest team in the NHL (San Jose being the hottest). The Kings, after a dreadful slide that took them down to the depths of the conference standings, have points in nine straight games (7-0-2) and are one of the teams Columbus needs to catch in the standings. LA is in the midst of an insane 10-game road trip, as they pay a visit to all of the Eastern Conference teams they have to play on the road. Neither team has played since Sunday.

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Jackets Jump Out Early; Sharks Come On Late and Nip CBJ 3-2

February 9, 2011 by 1 Comment

AP Photo/Terry GilliamSharks 3, Blue Jackets 2
(box) – Highlights
CBJ: 26-23-5, 57 pts
If the Jackets are to be taken seriously as playoff contenders this spring, they need to put strings of wins and points together, and they need to do it consistently. Columbus came into tonight’s contest against the red-hot Sharks winners of three straight, and with 14 points in their last 10 games. Both teams were playing their second game in as many nights, and in different cities.

The Jackets needed to get off to a good start to continue the momentum they’d built in their last three games. And that they did. They outhustled the Sharks, and used their usually-docile Power Play to do some early damage. But this one would come down to the third period as each team dominated a period over the first two. And it would come down to a late goal.

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Sharks (Game #54) – Keep Building

February 9, 2011 by 3 Comments

jackets vs. sharksSan Jose Sharks (29-19-6, 64pts) vs.
Columbus Blue Jackets (26-22-5, 57pts)
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
7:00 PM EST
TV: FSN-OH HD / Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)
WFNY Tickets – Follow me @WFNYDP from the press box tonight!

It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to do a proper game preview, but the Jackets are in the midst of their most solid stretch of hockey since mid- to late-November. They’ve gone 6-2-2 in their last 10, good for 14 points—including a solid win last night in Pittsburgh (4-1, box/Highlights) to make it three wins in a row. They’re now up to 12th in the conference, and just four points out of a playoff spot; both are the highest/closest they’ve been since early December when their swoon began. The Sharks, however, are even hotter: They’ve won nine of 12, and have lost in regulation just once in that span. They’re coming off of back-to-back road shutouts, including last night in Washington. In short, it’s going to take the best effort for Columbus, but they need to keep building, and therefore heading in the right direction: up the standings.

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Ducks (Game #49) – Keep The Train Rolling

January 25, 2011 by 2 Comments

jackets vs. ducksAnaheim Ducks (27-20-4, 58pts) vs.
Columbus Blue Jackets (23-20-5, 51pts)
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
7:00 PM EST
TV: FSN-OH / Radio: WWCD 102.5 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)
WFNY Tickets – Follow me @WFNYDP from the press box tonight!

This is the last game for Columbus prior to the All Star Break. The Ducks have been hot, including but not limited to the last time these two teams played almost three weeks ago. The Jackets got embarrassed 6-0 in Anaheim, and the Ducks did that without Jackets-killer Ryan Getzlaf, who is still out tonight. The game immediately after that one, however, was the one where the Jackets finally put the brakes on their horrible play: they lost in LA, but they outplayed the Kings for the second half of the game. The next game was the Phoenix game at home, which Scott Arniel repeatedly cites as the beginning of the Jackets getting back to “playing the right way.” The Jackets are 3-0-2 in their last five, and need two more points before they head into the All Star Break if they really want to be in the playoffs discussion.

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The 5-Hole: Blue Jackets News and Notes – 1/18/11

January 18, 2011 by 1 Comment

Every Tuesday, WFNY’s The 5-Hole brings you up to date with the goings-on of the CBJ…

5-hole

The Week That Was

This Week: 1-1-1, 3 points
Overall: 21-20-4, 46 points (5th division; 13th conference)

While the point total isn’t overwhelming, it’s possible that this past week—or, more specifically, the weekend—could be viewed as a turning point. It will depend on what the team does the rest of the way, but their big slide started with back to back losses to Detroit in a home-and-home right after Thanksgiving. So, perhaps being a questionable save/goal review away from taking four points in two nights from those same Red Wings might be the spark that gets them back on the right track. As bad as things have largely been over the last six weeks, the Jackets are still just six points (i.e., three games) out of a playoff spot.

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Maple Leafs (Game #37) – Raking Leafs Edition

December 30, 2010 by Leave a Comment

jackets vs. leafsColumbus Blue Jackets (18-15-3, 39pts) vs.
Toronto Maple Leafs (13-18-4, 30pts)
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Thursday, December 30, 2010
7:00 PM EST
TV: FSN-OH HD / Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)

The Jackets finish 2010 with back to back games against Eastern Conference Canadian teams: one in the hockey Mecca of Toronto, and then back at home against Ottawa. On paper, this is a game the Jackets MUST win if they hope to hang around the playoff hunt. Toronto has been spinning its wheels for a few years now, and are scuffling behind the Jackets in terms of points/results in a much easier conference. So, Columbus—if to be taken seriously—must come out and take this game early and not let it go, regardless of who’s starting in goal… or elsewhere, for that matter.

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Flames (Game #33) – Seriously. Just Win One.

December 21, 2010 by 1 Comment

jackets vs. bluesCalgary Flames (14-17-3, 31pts) vs.
Columbus Blue Jackets (16-13-3, 35pts)
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
7:00 PM EST
TV: none / Radio: WWCD 102.5 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)
WFNY Tickets
Follow me from the press box @WFNYDP tonight!

The Jackets get another shot at Calgary tonight. There isn’t a ton to say, other than last time out in Calgary, the Jackets all but dominated big stretches of the game. Even still it was the two quick goals that got Steve Mason pulled less than five minutes into the game that linger as the difference. Mathieu Garon gets the start in net, and this is a game the Jackets simply HAVE to win if they have any hopes of climbing back into the discussion for the playoffs. No local TV tonight for this game due to the NHL/VS deal, so grab some tickets and head on down to the Nat!

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The 5-Hole: Blue Jackets News and Notes – 12/21/2010

December 21, 2010 by 3 Comments

Every Tuesday, WFNY’s The 5-Hole brings you up to date with the goings-on of the CBJ…

5-hole

The Week That Was

This Week: 0-2-1, 1 point
Overall: 16-13-3, 35 points (4th division; 11th conference)

What a different a year doesn’t make. Last season, the Jackets roared out to a 26-point mark in their first 20 games, and then promptly lost 21 of 24 to fall completely out of the playoffs. Fast forward to this year: 28 points in the first 20 games, knocking on the door for first in the division and conference. Then, fast forward 12 more games, with only two wins and seven total points, leading to a plunge down to 11th in the standings. Dennis Green is in the wings clearing his throat, getting ready to yell: “THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE!!”

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Oilers (Game #31) – Finish Strong

December 16, 2010 by Leave a Comment

jackets vs. bluesColumbus Blue Jackets (16-11-3, 35pts) vs.
Edmonton Oilers (11-14-5, 27pts)
Rexall Place, Edmonton, Alberta
Thursday, December 16, 2010
9:30 PM EST
TV: FSN-OH HD / Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)

The Jackets get right back it again tonight after two straight games in which they’ve rallied to force overtime only to drop a heart-breaker. But, at the end of the day, if you’d said they’d have two points through the trip thus far, I’d have taken that. And they have certainly had to earn those two points. Their Western Canadian road trip ends tonight in Edmonton, who is struggling at the bottom of the conference, though of late they’ve been much better in winning six of ten. Can the Jackets come home with four points on the trip? Let’s hope so. They’ve rallied for overtime the last two, but haven’t finished strong. They need to finish strong tonight, both in terms of the game and the trip as a whole.

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Canucks (Game #30) – Big Boy Pants Edition

December 15, 2010 by 3 Comments

jackets vs. bluesColumbus Blue Jackets (16-11-2, 34pts) vs.
Vancouver Canucks (16-8-4, 36pts)
Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
10:00 PM EST
TV: none / Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)

No rest for the weary. It’s time to find out TRULY what this team is made of. If they want us to take them seriously, they’re going to have to build off of their third period from Monday that earned them an OTL point after clawing back into a game it looked like was a sure-fire loss in the first period. Coach Scott Arniel is making the move to Mathieu Garon as his starting goalie… at least for tonight. The Jackets have three games in the next four days across three time zones, so we haven’t seen the last of Steve Mason, either. Despite being almost equal in the standings, the Canucks look to be a better team than the Jackets on paper. It’s time to put on the BIG BOY PANTS.

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The 5-Hole: Blue Jackets News and Notes – 12/14/2010

December 14, 2010 by 1 Comment

Every Tuesday, WFNY’s The 5-Hole brings you up to date with the goings-on of the CBJ…

5-hole

The Week That Was

This Week: 1-1-1, 3 points
Overall: 16-11-2, 34 points (4th division; 11th conference)

A point-per-game in the NHL is basically treading water. Unfortunately, treading water doesn’t get you any closer to the shore that is the playoffs. At some point, the Jackets have to start swimming again. The silver lining? They have looked a little more like themselves from earlier in the year the past two games. That said, they let a point get away from them last night in Calgary. And, they are in the midst of a crazy stretch of six games in 10 days across four different time zones. Yikes.

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Flames (Game #29) – I’m Serious; Let’s Build a Streak

December 13, 2010 by 1 Comment

jackets vs. bluesColumbus Blue Jackets (16-11-1, 33pts) vs.
Calgary Flames (12-15-3, 27pts)
Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta
Monday, December 13, 2010
9:00 PM EST
TV: FSNOH-HD / Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)

So, the Jackets have won two out of three after losing five straight. They begin a three-game Western Canada road trip tonight in Calgary. The Flames are languishing at the bottom of the standings, yet as we remember from back in October you can’t take anyone lightly. The Flames came into Nationwide on 10/22 and skated the Jackets out of the building on the way to a 6-2 win. The Jackets played an intense game on Saturday night, and fore- and body-checked the Rangers into submission. If they can continue that effort, well, if you win again tonight that would be called a “winning streak.” It has happened before.

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Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Blues (Game #27) – Let’s Build a New Streak

December 9, 2010 by 2 Comments

jackets vs. bluesColumbus Blue Jackets (15-10-1, 31pts) vs.
St. Louis Blues (13-9-4, 30pts)
ScottTrade Center, St. Louis, MO 
Thursday, December 9, 2010
8:00 PM EST
TV: FSNOH-HD / Radio: WWCD 101.1/102.5 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)

You have to think the Blues have had this one circled for the last month. The Jackets finally got off of the losing streak after five games (0-4-1) and nipped Dallas on Monday with a late rally. Head coach Scott Arniel has juggled his lineup a bit, and those changes from the Dallas game should continue tonight… unless the team comes out flat again. St. Louis have been scuffling for a large part of the month (4-8-2) since Columbus eviscerated them 8-1 at Nationwide, and is battling a slew of injuries. Columbus will take every advantage they can get, I suspect.

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