You have heard of a “New York minute” but have you heard of the “Edmonton 17 seconds?” Has 17 seconds caused complete madness within the Blue Jackets? The CBJ took a 17 second lead over the Oilers and then the Oilers struck right back 17 seconds later. Since that point either panic or an alien has taken over the Blue Jackets. The Union Blue's wheels fell off against the Oilers and lost the contest 6-4 Thursday night. After that, Head Coach Ken Hitchcock has decided to shuffle the forward lines. As it sits for tonight's contest against the Anaheim Ducks the lines will be:

Chimera – Umberger – Nash
Huselius – Vermette – Voracek
Torres – Pahlsson – Dorsett
Filatov – Brassard – Boll

These lines look as if Hitchcock threw the names into a hat and started drawing them out. On the top line, the only way you can tell is that Rick Nash is on it, has Jason Chimera who has been a very effective 3rd line checking wing. Chimmer does look to have his wheels back and somehow over the summer found a way to hit the net with his shots which has resulted in 3 goals. R.J. Umberger is now at center which hasn't happened since early last season, when Hitch finally pulled the plug on RJU at center because it was a disaster. Nash is Nash and again is with a band of players that don't help him get space that has helped him to get off to a hot start.

On the 2nd line, the names that Hitch pulled out of the hat actually made some sense. You could see in Edmonton, when Hitch changed the lines near the beginning of the game, that Jakub Voracek and Kristian Huselius have chemistry that could be very dangerous. It resulted in Juice popping in 2 goals and both came from great setup passes from Vcek. Vermette will push the defense with his speed and there will be opportunities for this crew. If I was coaching the Ducks, this would be the line that I sent out my checking line against due to the jumbled messes on all the other lines and there is potential for scoring with this crew.

3rd line is solid also but it has a player I have begged to be put there since before the season but not with this combination. Raffi Torres is the perfect 3rd line checking winger that also can add scoring punch. Sammy Pahlsson stays in his spot and rightfully so. Dorsett looks like he has nailed down the other winger position. The line that I thought might be put together would be Chimera, Pahlsson and Torres which is the dream 3rd line that I have wanted from the beginning. Maybe there is still hope as the mad scientist, Ken Hitchcock, looks for the right potion.

The big eye openers are on the 1st line and the 4th line. The 4th line drags down Derick Brassard from the top line center position all the way to the bottom energy line. Not exactly what fans were expecting from Brass this season. What adds a little intrigue to the line is the combo of Brass and Nikita Filatov. Will they get enough ice time to see if that combination works? Also, will Jared Boll add anything to the scoring opportunities? Will this energy line be able to do what energy lines are suppose to do or will Filly and Brass get knocked off the puck so easy that it will lead to juicy scoring chances for the Ducks?

My biggest question is; does Hitchcock understand the problem in the last 2 games where the Jackets have given up 6 goals in each is all about the defense? The void of Jan Hejda has been huge! Having Mike Commodore back in the lineup tonight will help but don't expect heavy minutes to start. The Jackets were rolling with a 4-1-0 when Hejda was in the lineup and since then they are 1-2-0 and have given up 13 goals in those 3 games.

I am not a head coach but I play one on the internet. The whole reason for the huge over haul of the lines, to the best of my estimation, is to force the forwards to play a simplified game. Some of the traits of the top 6 this season is that they have got a little drunk on skill. Too many cute plays that turn into turnovers or players giving up shooting opportunities to make one too many passes. Not enough chip and chase and too many turnovers trying wiggle waggle through the neutral zone.

This whole experiment could be over by the time the 1st period ends. Let's just hope 17 seconds hasn't derailed what looks to be a very promising season.

Tonight's Game Prediction

Blue Jackets 3 - Ducks 5

Don't think the jumbling the lines are going to help. West Coast swings have always been tough on the Union Blue but now the team is searching for solutions. This team was full of confidence at the beginning of the season and now it's been rattled. It may take them getting back home for that confidence to be regained.

Listen To Last Night's 50th Episode of Fire The Cannon!



Fire The Cannon!

Eric Smith
Eric.Smith@HockeyBuzz.com

Add my blog to your iGoogle page

Join the Discussion: Chat Room » Message Board »

» Filatov Flies The Coup! Where's His Next Trip Too?

» Top Line Picks Up The Flag!

» Plenty Of Fire Left! Hitchcock Coaches 1000th Tonight

» Blue Jackets Are Centrally Focused

» Oh Boy-chuk! Canes Come Calling - Live Blog Tonight at 7pm