Final Score: Hurricanes 4 – Blue Jackets 1
Game Summary
Welcome to the Blue Jackets Seth Jones! I thought Jones looked real good in his debut but ultimately it wasn’t enough to hold off the Hurricanes who defeated the Blue Jackets 4-1.
Not only was this Jones’ first game as a Jacket it was also his 200th career game in the NHL. He's a strong skater who is adept with the puck. He is exactly what the Jackets have lacked over the first half of the season a defencemen who can move the puck. Once he gets comfortable with his new teammates and system he is going to shine. He played 22:12, had one shot and two hit. He was also had a 53.33% Corsi. Penalties were a big part of the game as is the norm for the Jackets. The Jackets are the most penalized team in the league as you can see below in the Stat of the Night. The Hurricanes took advantage scoring a power play goal. The Jackets though also took advantage of Carolina’s mistakes scoring on a 5 on 3 power play. However the Jackets just couldn’t find a goal at 5 on 5.
Josh Anderson was recalled to fill the extra forward spot. He slotted in on the third line with William Karlsson and Nick Foligno. It was a curious decision to go with Anderson as opposed to Kerby Rychel. I haven’t heard as to why that was the decision. Anderson was playing a little better of late for Lake Erie but Rychel is by far the superior player. But with Calvert out and Joey gone it appears Anderson is going to get a nice long look with the big club, which will be good for his development.
Really going to be interesting to see how Jack Johnson and David Savard do with less ice time. I know you’re tired of hearing about this but it is going to be nice to finally have a top pair that won’t get their teeth kicked in night after night. Tonight Johnson was a little better than Savard as JJ had a 53.57% Corsi vs 48.15% for Savard.
This was the first chance this season to see Noah Hanifin. The Jackets as you may remember had interest in drafting him this summer. He made his impact felt assisting on the Canes second goal. He's already a solid two way defencemen you can see why Jarmo was so high on him at the draft. Scary play early in the third Nick Foligno was on the receiving end of a blindside hit by Brad Malone. Foligno was wobbly as he fell to the ground. It was a hit to the head and it was late. There was no penalty called on the play so it’s uncertain whether the NHL takes a look at it. I think its worthy of a suspension. Hoping Foligno is ok. Nothing has been released with regards to his status.
Malone hit on Foligno pic.twitter.com/c5WggTf3ou
— Stephanie (@myregularface) January 9, 2016Stat of the Night
Stats courtesy of HockeyStats.ca and War On Ice.
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