Columbus heads into Game 2 looking to bounce back from their first loss in the playoffs. Good news is that the Jackets have only lost on 2 games in their last 13, bad news is they were both to BOS.
Coming into the season the CBJ had very few questions on the back end and it remained that way a majority of the season. On Thursday we saw three primary defensemen used: Jones 28:01, Werenski 29:06 and Savard 24:29. No other blueliner was above 20 minutes, in a game that went to OT. And in OT Werenski got beat on the backside on by Coyle. Jones got beat similarly on the game-tying goal. Both Jones and Werenski looked gassed at times. Kukan, Harrington and Clendening held their own and didn't seem out of place, but don't seem to have the trust of the coaching staff. Murray, McQuaid and Nutivaara are not in tonight's projected lineup, all three still out with injuries.
Columbus' pillar of strength, its defense, has now become a question mark. Between the injuries and the inexperience of those filling in, the Jackets have relied heavily on the top pair. This is a mistake. That left Jones/Werenski tired when they were needed most, the last five minutes and OT. And BOS did there damage against that top pair. Torts needs to find trust in his bottom pair early in the game in order to keep the top pair fresh.
In Game 1 the Jackets scored two deflected goals. While they were only 13 seconds apart and gave the CBJ the lead, quality scoring chances seemed to be few and far between. BOS was holding the Jackets to one-and-done chances just as the CBJ did to TBL in round one.
How the Jackets get the W
1. Support Bob. Bobrovsky was nothing short of great in Game 1. He deserved a better result. The aforementioned d-corp needs to be better in front of him. Asking Bob to play that way this whole series is impossible.
2. Stop the TURNOVERS. Boston put on pressure that TBL did not. Boston hit, TBL did not. Columbus has to adjust and get back to puck possession hockey. That is Jackets hockey. It will be a short series if they don't create some sustained offensive zone pressure.
3. See how good CBJ defensive depth is. Play the bottom 2 pair more evenly and don't rely heavily on Seth and Zack early. Give them a chance to be a factor late in the game, not gassed late in the game.
Quick Hits The Cleveland Monsters (CBJs AHL team) defeated the Syracuse Crunch (TBLs AHL team) in the Calder Cup Playoffs. They now move on to face the Toronto Marlies in the round of 8.
Very few are picking the Jackets in this series even after defeating TBL. But those same writers had TBL winning the Cup. By the transitive property don't the Jackets become the Cup favorite? I know I cannot apply questionable high school math to the Stanley Cup Playoffs like that.
All three teams that won Game 7s were victorious in Game 1s with BOS, CAR and SJS all looking sharp. COL (5 games), NYI (4 games) and CBJ (4 games) all had long breaks before Game 1. Can each bounce back in Game 2?