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Attention Blue Jackets! CBJ Round Up |
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I am going to begin a new CBJ segment called CBJ Round Up. This will be a weekly (usually Thursday) recap of what is being said out there on the interweb about our beloved boys in Union Blue...so here goes
My first stop is the World Wide Leader (in Canadian) Sports TSN.com. Not surprising, Larry David gets more press here than the CBJ. The most relevant content to a Jackets fan this morning is this:
https://www.tsn.ca/san-jose-sharks-logan-couture-to-miss-at-least-six-weeks-with-fractured-ankle-1.1424442
Logan Couture is out as he broke his ankle Tuesday night against the Blues. In the last meeting with the CBJ he had a 100% faceoff % (admittedly I don't know how many he took), had two shots and played almost 20 minutes (19:54). Here is the video of his injury if you haven't seen it:
Next, the World Wide Leader (in American) Sports, ESPN.com. On a serious note, the NHL isn't on the top menu bar on ESPN.com. Can they really be the "World Wide Leader" if MMA is listed and the NHL, one of the 4 major sports leagues in the USA, isn't. ESPN, I know you are bitter about not having the NHL on your network, but have some credibility.
At least they do cover the Blue Jackets...if you scroll down far enough:
https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401145715
It is nice to hear the recap of the Anaheim game refer to the Jackets as 'the hottest team in the NHL'. But then I realized that this isn't an ESPN written article, it is a recycled AP story. No credit to ESPN. Slackers.
Chris Pennington over at 1st Ohio Battery had a good piece about the CBJs injury struggles and the team 'Winning As A Unit':
https://www.1stohiobattery.com/columbus-blue-jackets-analysis/2020/01/4441/team-mindset-has-led-blue-jackets-back-into-playoff-hunt
He points out that 23 of 28 skaters have scored over the last 14 games. That is incredible. There are also some eye-popping goalie stats for both Korpi and Elvis in that time frame too. Ultimately, Columbus is not a star-centric team, relying on scoring from one or two players or stealing a game with a hot goalie.
The one point I disagree with is that you need a superstar to shine in order to win in the playoffs. My belief is that it is harder to stop a team who can score from anywhere, rather than a team that relies on scoring from one or two top players. The Bruins and Canes were good examples of getting scoring from multiple places in the 2019 playoffs.
The Cannon has a quality preview of tonight's game @ SJS:
https://www.jacketscannon.com/2020/1/9/21057924/game-45-columbus-blue-jackets-look-to-disrupt-silicon-valleys-hockey-team-san-jose-sharks
Their 'Player to Watch' for the CBJ is Nathan Gerbe. He has been quite the story since getting the call up from CLE. He is a 5'4", 169 lbs, 32-year-old winger that was drafted in the 5th round by BUF back in 2005. He has 404 NHL games to his credit for BUF, CAR and CBJ. He is a scrappy, energy guy who has found his way to the top line with Gus and PLD. He brings an edge that can get opposing players off their game at times.
Coming home to ColumbusBlueJackets.com I find another feature on Nathan Gerbe. At 32, I believe we call this a renaissance time in his career. And I think he has a chance to stick with the big club for the remainder of the season because of his hard play on the ice.
The Inside Edge featured an interview with Gerbe:
https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/inside-edge-nathan-gerbe---january-8-2020/c-313693454
It is more of a get-to-know-you interview. Nathan has a humble-rise-from-mediocrity-story which we all relate with. Its a good listen and really endears you to this guy. He certainly is the story of the minute here in Columbus. Who knows, if they keep winning and he keeps scoring, he could become a national phenomenon at the ripe old age of 32.
Current State of Jackets
Games Played: 44
Record: 21-15-8 (50 points)
Standings: 3rd in the Wild Card (2 points back), 6th in the Metro (7 points back of 3rd, PIT)
Goals For: 117, 27th in the league
Goals Against: 121, 6th-t in the league
Goal Differential: -4, 19th in the league
PK%: 81.1%, 13th in the league
PP%: 17.0%, 24th in the league
Two more games on the west coast trip. Tonight the CBJ face the Sharks, who ended their points streak last Sunday afternoon. Then off to Vegas to face the on-again-off-again-Pacific-leading Golden Knights on Saturday.
Good Luck, (get healthy) and Go Jackets!
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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