Final Score: Lightning 2 – Blue Jackets 0

Game Summary

As they say old habits die hard and the Jackets habits of taking low danger outside shots continued against the Lightning. The Jackets put up 43 shots, the second time in four games they have got over 40. At 5 on 5 they 55 shot attempts and a 59.14% Corsi. Of their 55 attempts, 24 were scoring chances but just eight were high chances. They need to be pressing for more chances, especially in the third period. They had just six chances in the third period and one at high danger.

As I said after the Winnipeg game, controlling the game like this is never bad. You keep the other team in their own end where they can’t hurt you. The Jackets did just that, Tampa’s stars like Victon Hedman, Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov spent most of the game defending, but what makes these players special is they really only need once chance to beat you. The Jackets kept Kucherov from scoring, ending his eight game goal streak, but he still impacted the game with both primary assists on Tampa’s goals.

Credit had to go to Tampa Bay for how they played this. They were content to let the Jackets have the puck and take those outside shots. They protected the slot well, and even when the Jackets were able to get a good chance, Andrei Vasilevskiy was there to shut the door.

Pretty good chance here for #CBJ near the end of that period, but they couldn't convert. pic.twitter.com/WhSA6iANlB

— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 20, 2017

What would go a long way to helping jumpstart the offense in games like this would be the power play. The Jackets had three chances in this game and couldn’t convert. The Jackets are 0-for-18 on the power play since scoring on their very first one against the Islanders. Something has to change whether it be the style or personnel, as what they have right now is not working. The Jackets have a 75.86% Corsi with the man advantage the only team in the league to be below 80%. Their expected goals for is 2.64, the only team to be below 3.00.

The scoring chance problem has continued on the power play. Per 60 minutes the Jackets average 46.22 scoring chances and 14.79 high danger chances, rates that rank 26th and 29th in the league respectively. They have enough skilled players that they should be better than this on power play.

Stat of the Night

Stat correction: #CBJ's 5 wins/10 points (5-1-0) is tied for the most in club history with the six-game start in 2009-10.

— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) October 18, 2017

Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.

You can follow me on Twitter @PaulBerthelot

Join the Discussion: » 1 Comments » Post New Comment

» Blue Jackets extend John Tortorella

» Blue Jackets extend Hockey Operations Staff

» Thoughts on the Blue Jackets Traverse City roster

» How the Blue Jackets can get more national coverage

» Just how bad is the Blue Jackets prospect system?