Paul Berthelot: Post Battle #52: 49 shots just not enough Blue Jackets lose 4-3 to the New York Islanders

After watching last night, I've concluded that it will be difficult for the CBJ, as presently structured, to even reach 90 points - not even consider the playoffs. They are moving in the wrong direction, as the Devils, Islanders, and Rangers seem to be gaining momentum, and ready to pass the CBJ in the standings.
I fear that mgmt is of the opinion that the current stagnation and goal scoring issues will be resolved "in the room" ! So no changes are necessary.
The team cannot (refuses to???) sustain any sense of urgency. They score a goal and seem to relax instead of keeping their foot on the gas !!
I guess the good news is they are putting more pucks on net. Unfortunately, very few can put it IN the net !
IMO - anyone not named Panarin; Jones; Werenski; Bobrovsky; and maybe DuBois & Atkinson; are available for trade. Not as much for a rental, as for next year and beyond.

I think we all need to remember the front office made a decision to let two veteran players go at the end of last season who were significant parts of the offense for much of the 16-17 season to let younger players in. Obviously they were more important to the offense than anyone thought.

It was the right decision to make, but it has blown up in their faces. Sadly it looks like a horrible mistake to protect Jack Johnson instead of William Karlsson, but even that was not seen by anyone as an error either.

Torts is a great coach IMO, he proved it last year. If he wants to stay in Columbus he needs to find a way to pull a rabbit out of a hat and get this team going again. Sadly, the veteran players are doing a good job in failing this year and that's why we are headed back to the lottery.

Paul Berthelot: Post Battle #52: 49 shots just not enough
Blue Jackets lose 4-3 to the New York Islanders
- Paul Berthelot

On paper they have the elements to make the post-season. Most nights they seem gassed or they can't capitalise on getting a small rubber circular object into a gaping net . Not sure what is going on with this team but the bravado and clutch play from last year seems to have worn off, instead they look like a bunch of guys looking at each other and wonder ''hmmm who's playing the hero tonight.

Foligno is not a bad captain he simply had a career year , see Karlson , he could regress back to a 15-16 goal scorer (although we could use that on the third line right now ) . He's playing and producing to what he use to.

Torts on the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised if the message isn't passing through that lockeroom, I like to think all is fine and well, but sometimes a coach can artificially intoxicate that area, such as calling out someone or turning another against on another ....

Anyhow, a team meating/ kumbaya session is in order.....

Saw a stat yesterday, newspaper?, that the CBJ have scored 22 goals in the last 12 games.
Opponents know they only need 2 or 3 goals to beat the CBJ. Just beat them in regulation - don't let the game get to OT. That's what's saved the CBJ this year.
You can't lean on the goalies every game.

I still don't understand why anybody would want to protect JJ over Karlsson lol. Especially in a contract year.