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What does a 4-Game Point Streak mean? |
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The 0-3 start to the month of December was followed by a 4-game point streak in which the CBJ slayed the league-leading Caps twice, book-ending two OT losses (PIT and OTT). Both victories over WSH were hard fought games in which the Jackets emerged with 3-goal victories. Each victory could have gone the other way with a timely Caps goal, but they simply could not find it.
While victories over top teams are nice, they should not be followed up by 17-shot, 1-0 OT losses that are described by your head coach as embarrassing to the organization. Further, you don't want to find yourselves trailing one of the few teams below you in the standings by a 3-1 deficit in the 3rd period the next game. Columbus salvaged a point from that one with a two-goal 3rd period, but missed out on a second point when jettisoned former CBJ winger Duclair capped off his hat-trick night with a PP game-winning slapper. Duclair was part of the deal that brought over Dzingel to Columbus at last year's deadline.
Current December Record: 2-3-2 (6 points)
Remaining December Schedule:
12/17 @ DET
12/19 v. LAK
12/21 v. NJD
12/23 @ NYI
12/27 @ WSH
12/29 v. CHI
12/31 v. FLA
Directly ahead of the Jackets are the NYR with 36 points. The Flyers hold the last playoff spot in the East with 39 points and CAR holds the 3rd spot in the Metro with 42 points. Everyone in the East (and NHL for that matter) trails the Metro-leading Caps (53 pts).
Injury Good News and Bad News
Good: Werenski has been activated.
Bad: Anderson has been placed on the IR - shoulder injury.
Good: Peeke took a shot in the mouth, needed stitches, but kept on playing.
Bad: Bemstrom placed on the IR.
More Bad: Murray and Milano were injured (upper body) against ARI and Gavrikov was evaluated after a hit by Tom Wilson (WSH).
Good: Looks like Gavrikov is cleared to play.
Tonight's game is a very winnable game against a sad DET team. It is the second game of a back-to-back and is on the road and Elvis will likely be starting. Elvis is still searching for his first NHL victory as he had a less-than-stellar first period in OTT the other night. He surrendered 2 goals on 8 shots that would have been 3 goals if Torts hadn't reviewed an offside call (or lack of call). Only one of those should have gone in (the second, a one-timer in a 2-on-1 situation), the overturned goal being the worst allowed.
Taylor Hall Trade
When I was calling for more scoring to be added to this line up many of you commented that there just wasn't anyone out there that was available. Well, seems there was a proven scorer and former league MVP that could have been had.
Hall with now skate for ARI for more than half the season, but the price was steep for a half-season rental. Three prospects, a 2020 first rounder and a 2021 third rounder. It seems that the key piece in this trade was the D-prospect Kevin Bahl. With the exception of the 2020 first round pick, the Jackets could have easily matched this offer.
Would Hall have made sense in Columbus? The timing would have been really bad. Burned by all four UFAs fleeing Columbus this summer, the fan base would not have been happy when Hall would inevitably leave. The CBJ's place in the standings don't warrant them being buyers right now. They really aren't much of sellers either, but that is another discussion. Spending on a rental when you are second to last in the East would be unwise and not well received. The price tag may have been too much of the Jackets' future than they wanted to give up. Draft picks for Columbus are at a premium as many of them were dealt away for last season's push. The prospect pond has yet to be restocked and may suffer the next couple years for that move. Acquiring Hall would have further exacerbated that problem.
It's time to face facts. This is a rebuild. Hopefully for just this season, but maybe next as well. I would love for the Blue Jackets to prove me wrong. They have proven that can take down the NHL's best, but still cannot win consistently.
Good Luck and Go Jackets!
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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