You all know the saying sometimes you have to take a step back to take two steps forward?
Well, after consecutive wins the Blue Jackets certainly did just that in a 5-0 loss at home to the Detroit Red Wings.
The 1st period was pretty even, but the Jackets came out of down 1-0 as a Boone Jenner goal was disallowed and they never really recovered from that.
Some thoughts:
- First and foremost, the Jackets are going to need short memories after that loss. They've still won two of their last three, and their next game is against a good Bruins team that continues to win games with the likes of Zdeno Chara and Brad Marchand out of the lineup. Anyone can beat up on lesser teams, but in order for the Jackets to make a significant push for the playoff they'll need to beat some good ones with regularity. That starts Friday against Boston.
- I don't know if Todd Richards was sending a message, or just wanted to prevent his top guys from getting hurt but Ryan Johansen took just two shifts in the 3rd period, while Scott Hartnell took three and Nick Foligno took four. Those three aside, Michael Chaput played the fewest with six.
- Cam Atkinson didn't find the scoresheet last night, but he had four shots and pushed his total to 70 in 17 games. He's 6th in the league in shots and 4th in individual shot attempts/60 of 5 vs 5 so he's getting plenty of looks. If he keeps generating shots like he is now, he'll find twine with regularity. I don't think a lot of people realize just how good Atkinson is.
- Speaking of underrated, Jimmy Howard pitched a 28-save shutout and made some great stops along the way in the 5-0 win. He only has three regulation losses in 15 starts and owns a .924SV%, so I'm not sure why he gets so little credit league-wide.
- Boone Jenner didn't get a point (his goal was disallowed) but he did have five shots and dominate in possession. I thought coming back from injury it'd take some time for him to get going, but he's played very well on a consistent basis. The Jackets need that to continue.
- Columbus' next five: vs Boston, @ Philadelphia, vs Winnipeg, vs Vancouver, @ Nashville. Only the Flyers currently sit outside of the playoffs so that's a tough stretch of games. Columbus needs at least six points - though seven or eight would be ideal - in that span.
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