There's no reason for me to recount the Rangers/Blue Jackets game from Thursday night as associate captain Brandon Dubinsky and head coach Todd Richards did a fine job of doing just that in their post-game comments.
Richards was particularly displeased with the effort in the second period. Here's exactly what he had to say:
“That was embarrassing hockey. Embarrassing hockey,… Richards said. “To me, that’s losing hockey the way we played. We got exactly what we deserved. Things have to change. I have to change. It took me — I don’t know how much time was left in the second period — to get a little upset on the bench, and the guys responded.“So I guess the gloves have got to come off somewhat as far as things that we do. Obviously, I’ve got to push. I’ve got to challenge, because it’s not coming from within. Individuals aren’t challenged. They aren’t self-motivated. Our group, for whatever reason, we came out in the second period and we can’t play.…
It's shocking that a team that worked as hard as they did last season each and every game needs to be prodded to expend the necessary effort this win. The club's strength was their work ethic and dedication to doing whatever was necessary on the ice to give their team a chance to win.
Dubinsky is also unhappy with the group's work ethic to this point in the season:
“It doesn’t matter about X’s and O’s or what we need to do systematically,… center Brandon Dubinsky said. “The work ethic just isn’t there. It should be the easiest thing to correct. I mean, really, it’s just embarrassing that we choose not to. I don’t know why. It’s flat-out embarrassing for us, the fans and the organization.…
Those are some very strong comments from the head coach and de facto team captain and frankly I have to agree. The Jackets didn't play with any sense of desperation until the third period and that is unacceptable from a team that had dropped four straight heading into the contest.
The Jackets participated in roughly 90 minutes of meetings and off-ice work highlighted by what Richards referred to as simply a "discussion" among players and coaches. He wouldn't fill in any details but did have this to say:
“I’m not going to get into how I act or what was said,… Richards said after an on-ice practice that began 30 minutes after it was scheduled. “That’s between myself and the players and the team. You could probably tell by my emotions after the game how I felt, and I think the players felt the same way. It wasn’t an easy morning, but I think we were better out on the ice today.…
It's not unusual for the team to keep that stuff in-house. The important thing is how the team reacts. If they come out and play tonight as they did in the third period Thursday then we know whatever the coaches said made in impact. If they come out flat then this team is in deep trouble.
Speaking of tonight, Richards made some changes to the lineup, presumably to spark their struggling offense. Dubinsky moves off the top line and joins Ryan Johansen and Cam Atkisnon. RJ Umberger will skate on the left side of Artem Anisimov with Gaborik on the right.
I'd actually like to see Johansen centering Gaborik to see if he can get the struggling sniper going. Johansen has been wonderful using his size and speed to pursue the puck in the offensive zone. He has the passing ability to get the puck to Gaborik in prime scoring areas once he secures possession.
Nick Foligno, who has experienced lingering personal issues regarding his family, is again out of the lineup and will be replaced by Sean Collins.
Dalton Prout returns with David Savard taking a seat.
Sergei Bobrovsky, who was stellar in goal Thursday, gets the call tonight against the Isles. His counterpart in net will be Evgeni Nabokov.
Major offseason addition Cal Clutterbuck is out tonight for the Isles. Clutterbuck, acquired from the Minnesota Wild for former first-round pick Nino Niederreiter and subsequently signed to a contract extension, has just one goal and two points on the season but is a gritty and effective player for the Islanders.
The Islanders at 6 - 7 - 3, are five points ahead of the Jackets in the standings. A win tonight not only draws Columbus closer in the standings but would also instill some confidence in the team.