Final Score: Flames 2 – Blue Jackets 0
Game Summary
Regression sucks. The Jackets for the second game in row dominated the shot clock but failed to pick up a win. They again fell victim to a strong goal-tending performance, this time from Chad Johnson. This was the first game this season in which the Blue Jackets have been shutout.
Looking purely at the numbers the Jackets dominated. They had a decisive 34-20 shot advantage and at 5 on 5 had a 57.32% Corsi. The numbers though do not tell the whole story. The Jackets did not play as well as the shot count or Corsi would indicate.
To start the Jackets, despite the shot edge, were unable to get many good scoring chances. Of their 27 shots at 5 on 5 just 15 were scoring chances and of those 15 just seven were high danger chances. Calgary with 15 5 on 5 shots, had 14 scoring chances and eight high danger chances. Having the puck like the Jackets did is a good thing, but they need to do a better job at turning that zone time into strong offensive chances.
Secondly, the special teams had their issues tonight. Teams are not going to score on every power play or kill every penalty, but this was a game where the power play had opportunities and were unable to convert. The one that stands is the four minute power play the Jackets had at the beginning of the second period. It wasn’t that they couldn’t score it was that they couldn’t even get sustained pressure. The fans in the arena were clearly frustrated and let the team know by booing near the end of the power play.
Thirdly, the third period was very sloppy. The Jackets did not come out and press hard in the third period like they have in previous games. They took two bad penalties, one of which Calgary scored on to double their lead. Even when the penalties were over the Jackets were outplayed in the period, which is something that should not happen when you are trailing. Calgary had their best period in the third, as they created plenty of high danger opportunities.
Finally to all my American readers, Happy Thanksgiving, enjoy the long weekend.
Stat of the Night
Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.
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