Final Score: Blackhawks 3 – Blue Jackets 1
Game Summary
In keeping with the good news bad news theme of the recent Post Battles, the bad news from this game was the loss, but the good news was the Jackets put forth a tremendous effort and played one of their best games in a while. They outshot Chicago 33-24, keeping them under 10 shots in every period. They had control of the game seemingly from the beginning, finishing with a 54.05% Corsi at 5 on 5. Chicago had a 2-1 lead after the first and the Jackets did everything they could to tie the game. Sergei Bobrovksy stopped letting goals and the skaters in front of him peppered Corey Crawford with shots.
Bobrovsky knows how to save a puck. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, exhibit A. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/0EuiQ4aMiY
— SB (@Sam_Blazer) April 1, 2017
Unfortunately this great effort was all for naught as Crawford was fantastic shutting down all of the Blue Jacket chances. Still, if games like this happen consistently to finish the season, this will be a scary team to face in the first round.
For that to happen though, they need to start scoring more than one goal. The Jackets have scored just one goal in four of their last five games. They have fallen victim as team to some poor shooting luck, and overall just haven’t been getting as many good chances of late. They have gone through stretches like this before but were able to rely on their power play for goals, when they weren’t coming at even strength. More bad news the power play has been dreadful; the Jackets are in the midst of a 0-for-15 slump. There PP% has been in a free fall and now sits 11th in the NHL at 20.1%.
Good news the teams 4 on 4 play continues to be awesome. The Jackets sit second in the NHL with seven 4 on 4 goals and third with a 59.57% Corsi. There lone goal in this game was a 4 on 4 goal, set up beautifully by Sam Gagner.
The Jackets do such great work behind the net. Gagner found Foligno at net front and made it pretty easy for him to hammer it home. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/HlUe1ReljD
— SB (@Sam_Blazer) April 1, 2017
The Jackets have another tough test tomorrow as they take on the Capitals. They need to play like this again to have any chance at winning.
Stat of the Night
Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.
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