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The higher ups at HockeyBuzz have notified me that they need some help with Blue Jackets coverage, so it looks like I'm their interim writer for the post-season.
1. Last night's win over Pittsburgh was huge, and not just because it's the first playoff game the Blue Jackets have won in their history. They played with the Penguins in Game 1 and didn't get results, so it'd likely have been deflating for them if they were heading back to Columbus down 2-0. Now it's all even, and the Jackets have home ice the rest of the way. They may lose the series, but they're not going down without a fight.
2. I'm not the biggest Jack Johnson supporter, but I have to give him credit for his Game 2 performance. He lost the possession battle, though he managed to be in the ball park of even (generating 50% of all shot attempts when on the ice) despite playing primarily against Sidney Crosby's line at even-strength. He also scored the game-tying goal in the 3rd period, and logged nearly 40 minutes of ice.
3. For my money Matt Calvert was the best player on the ice. He was generating chances consistently all night, and scored a pair of goals, including the game winner in double overtime. Calvert was involved physically as he had a couple hits as well, and he also posted a 55.6% Corsi rating, which was 4th best on the team. If you're unfamiliar with Corsi, it's a stat that indicates the percentage of 5 vs 5 shot attempts a player was on the ice for. So when Calvert was on the ice, 55.6% of all shot attempts were taken by Columbus.
4. Kris Letang did not have his best game. He was largely ineffective on the power play, and was absolutely torched defensively. Letang posted a 32.5 Corsi rating, which was the worst among all players who saw more than six minutes of 5 vs 5 ice. Letang wasn't matched up against any Blue Jackets line in particular - he played a little against everyone - and still was hemmed in his end more often than not.
5. Brandon Dubinsky: nine shots, eight hits, one assist, 57% Corsi rating. He's getting talked up by almost everyone for his play right now, and he deserves it. He's playing excellent hockey. One thing I will say is he does need to be a little more disciplined. The Blue Jackets can't afford to be shorthanded all the time, especially when their opposition has Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
6. One of the reasons I'm excited about being able to cover the Blue Jackets' playoff run is Ryan Johansen. Due to the market he plays in, he doesn't get much talk outside of the fan base, but he's quietly turning into one of the best two-way forwards in hockey and a truly elite player. He played another strong game last night against the Penguins top defensive pairing of Paul Martin and Brooks Orpik.
7. Sergei Bobrovsky had a .966 save percentage at even strength in Game 2 and has a .949SV% at evens this series. If Columbus can stay disciplined and keep their penalty totals down, they should be able to win this series. Bobrovsky has been nearly unbeatable at evens in this series.
8. The Penguins' depth players: Joe Vitale, Tanner Glass, Craig Adams, etc. did not have their best games. Brian Gibbons was good, but he left the game early with an injury. Pittsburgh's bottom-6 isn't all that impressive, and that's an area where the Blue Jackets could exploit and cause problems.
9. Rob Scuderi played primarily against Matt Calvert's line, and he was torched. The secret may not be out, but Scuderi just isn't very good at this point in his career. With the Jackets now having home ice, Todd Richards will be able to get the matchups he wants. Targeting Scuderi with his top offensive players may not be a bad idea.
10. I picked Pittsburgh in 7 prior to the series, but if Columbus can keep things 5 vs 5 I like their chances. Game 3 goes Monday at Nationwide Arena.
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