Final Score: Blue Jackets - 5 Predators - 2
Game Summary
How about that top line!!! They are going to give opposing teams nightmares. Brandon Saad was the catalyst with two goals and two assists. Ryan Johanson had a goal and two assists, and Nick Foligno had goal and an assist. This line has been together for two games and has been dominate recording six goals and eight assists.
Overall this game was very similar to the last one. The team jumped out to a big lead and simply held on at the end. They had just three shots in the third period, three! I have no problem with them sitting back in a 5-2 pre-season game, the reason I keep bringing it up though is this has happened far too much over the last few seasons. Getting just 19 shots in a game is not a viable strategy for long term success.
Bob should not have to make 30+ saves every night. There were six teams last season that allowed more than 30 shots a game, Buffalo, Toronto, Columbus, Arizona, Colorado and Ottawa. Five of those teams picked in the top 10 of the draft and Ottawa would have joined them if not for the ridiculous performance of Andrew Hammond. Bob is a great goalie but expecting him to do what Hammond did is asking way too much.
I'm just guessing here but we may have seen a pre-view of what the lines could be opening night. The second line tonight was Hartnell-Wennberg-Atkinson and the third line was Calvert-Campbell-Clarkson. Those very well could be the third and fourth lines for this season. The second line then would be the guys who weren't playing tonight Jenner, Dubinsky and I could see Kerby Rychel getting a shot on that line.
Defensively Ryan Murray led the way and was the only Jackets skater to log over 20 minutes (he had 25:09). He was paired with David Savard, in what looks to be the new top pair. Murray and Savard have been paired together for most of the pre-season. I really like this idea and think Savard could thrive away from Jack Johnson. This could really open up his offensive game as he could pinch in more, knowing Murray is back.
Stat of the Night
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