Injuries have hit the Blue Jackets this season as hard as anyone in recent history, and that has made it particularly difficult to win games.
While they did get a couple bodies back against Carolina in Boone Jenner and Matt Calvert, the infirmary remains packed as the losses continue to pile up.
The Blue Jackets were in it to the final minute, but the reality is a highly mediocre Hurricanes team came into their building and controlled play for 60 minutes. Not encouraging stuff to say the least.
10 takeaways:
1. I have no idea what Jack Johnson was doing with that hit on Jiri Tlusty. There was definitely some contact to the head, and there's a pretty good chance his hit results in a suspension. Not exactly what you want to hear when you're already missing three NHL defensemen with injuries in James Wisniewski, Ryan Murray and Cody Goloubef. Things are getting way out of hand in Columbus.
2. With last night's loss to Carolina the Jackets have now lost six consecutive games and eight of 10 after opening the year with a pair of wins. They're now just one point ahead of Buffalo and tied with the Hurricanes for 2nd last in the NHL. Amazing what an injury or 10 can do to a team.
3. Things aren't about to get any easier, either. After a rematch with the Hurricanes on Friday, in a game Columbus definitely needs to win, they play the Lightning, Capitals, Flyers, Sharks, Red Wings and Bruins. Not a lot of gimmes in there.
4. The Jackets need to get back on track fast or they'll be in deep trouble. It's hard to dig out of a big hole late in the season, and typically if you're not in the playoffs by the start of December you won't make it at all. The Jackets are four points back of a divisional spot and six back of a wild card so they have to start winning games immediately. That number has to stay manageable.
5. Ryan Johansen picked up another point in the losing effort and has now recorded points in 11 of 12 games this year. It's pretty sad how he's produced on a nightly basis and almost all of his production has been wasted in losses.
6. I thought Brian Gibbons played a solid game for Columbus. He took a couple of penalties including an unnecessary one on Riley Nash in the 3rd period, but he created some chances and his speed was a huge boost for the Jackets. Gibbons once again did well in possession, too, and is definitely proving he belongs in the NHL. When some bodies return, I think he'd be a much better alternative on the 4th line than someone like Jared Boll.
7. Boone Jenner looked pretty good in his return to the lineup. He had a shot, five hits and Columbus generated 63% of the shot attempts at 5 vs 5 when he was on the ice. I expect the offense will come as he settles in and gets more comfortable.
8. Nick Foligno's two-goal effort gives him six on the year and 13 points in 11 games thus far. Whether it's in Columbus or elsewhere, he's going to get a big contract if he keeps playing anywhere close to the way he is right now.
9. Curtis McElhinney was fine last night, but the Blue Jackets are really missing Sergei Bobrovsky. McElhinney has an .877SV% and 4.08 goals against average in four games on the year.
10. The only player who was utilized less than Marko Dano last night: Boll. Dano is a skilled guy and was making plays earlier in the year when he was given top-9 minutes and linemates. It's tough for him to do much of anything playing on the 4th line and starting the majority of his shifts in the defensive zone.
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