A month ago, I thought the Blue Jackets were dead in the water and were a major contender for the Seth Jones Sweepstakes, but as we've seen in Columbus…a lot can change in four weeks especially when you put together an unbeaten-in-regulation streak of 7-0-4.
Even though five of those wins required bonus hockey and as Jack Johnson likes to joke they're going to end up playing 52 games in a 48-game schedule with all the overtime they've been playing, it'd be a lot easier to play catch up if they weren't giving loser points away like candy at a birthday party. The good news is that they're finding ways to not only be competitive, but to win close games as 14 of their last 15 have been decided by one goal. A lucky bounce in their favor here and there and they could easily be in the hunt for home ice instead of in a three-way tie for eighth in the Western Conference.
So, what's changed with this team that seemed to be making a home for themselves in the NHL Basement just four weeks ago? I've spent the last week with them and I think it boils down to three key factors...
First, Sergei Bobrovsky has been absolutely outstanding between the pipes. There is no question that they would not be in the playoff hunt without him and I am quite certain it's causing nightmares for Flyers fans. It's not even the number of saves he's making, but the quality, whether it be in regards to the right save at the right time to keep them in the game or instead to the how'd-he-do-that factor. He just seems to be stopping everything and the Blue Jackets need him to stay hot if they are going to continue this upward trend.
Second, they've been playing a lot better team defense and blocking shots like it's about to go out of style. I mentioned it to Ryan Johansen last night and he agreed although couldn't put his finger on exactly why that was. So I'm not sure it's a directive from Todd Richards that he wants them to play that way or more that they know how hard Bobrovsky is working for them and they're doing whatever they can to support him in that capacity. Whatever it is, it's working as they're doing a great job of keeping shooters to the perimeter and quickly clearing rebounds.
Third, this team is having a ton of fun. Confidence is contagious and the Blue Jackets are heavily infected. The off-ice chemistry and camaraderie is spilling over the boards and they are playing more and more like a team instead of individual parts. They genuinely like each other and support each other and, most importantly, want to play for each other…something Columbus hasn't seen a long, long time.
Looking ahead, there are still challenges that face the Jackets in their final 18 games of this shortened season and it starts with offensive support. They are scoring an average of 2.13 goals a game - the lowest in the league - and are averaging only 26.6 shots a game - also among the league's worst. They need to get more pucks to the net, period. It's easy to rely on team defense and a hot goalie to win games, but the truth is that can only prevent you from losing. You still need to score to win and the Blue Jackets are desperate for an offensive catalyst. Last night's four goal effort against Nashville was a step in the right direction, but they need to sustain that effort if they want to continue to climb the standings.
Supporting that offensive effort would be an improved power play. It's currently one of the league's worst at just 13.9% efficiency , but the good news is that they've finally had an opportunity to have a full practice on Monday in which the power play was a heavy focus and they are scheduled to have another one tomorrow before they host Calgary on Friday. The even better news is that on the flip side, they have one of the best penalty kills in the league.
Finally, finding success on the road will be huge for the Jackets, especially since 12 of their final 18 games will be away from Nationwide Arena including six of their last seven. They've got a grueling swing through western Canada next week, a back-to-back in Nashville and St Louis the following week and then wrap up the season with a six-game swing through two timezones. Considering they've only won three games on the road thus far this season, the importance of earning points on the road can not be emphasized enough. In fact, their playoff lives depend on it.
But…ask anyone in that locker room and they are more than ready for the challenges ahead of them. They are so close to a spot in the playoffs, they can taste it and are salivating at the opportunity to put Columbus on the proverbial map two points at a time.
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I'm off to Boston this weekend for the Hockey East Championship featuring BC, BU, Providence and UMass-Lowell and then the Bruins and Maple Leafs on Monday.
Julie
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