GDT: Game 46: Columbus vs. Washington | 1/27 7PM EST

[Crede777]

I think Wennberg looked more comfortable tonight. Did well in the face-off circle, was good at chasing down the puck, and he made some smart passes.

I thought to myself "even though I'd like to see Wennberg down in the AHL getting top line minutes, I'd take one of him over a hundred Jared Bolls."

 

[niflheim]

/against Caps/ Wennberg -3 vs old soldier Boll +1

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Thought I'd drop in for some post-game tidbits...

- Dubinsky was excellent tonight at the dot, 10 of 16 which was 62 percent. Led both teams in face off percentage. Thank goodness because his corsi at even strength was a -8... second worse on the team. He's got to step it up. 3 points in his last 9 games isn't cutting it.
- Despite looking better than what he has in the first 40 games of the year (he's come on as of late), Wennberg was dead last in corsi with a -9 at even strength which was worst out of both teams.
- The Joey-Foligno-Atkinson line dominated at even strength with a final corsi of +22.
- Morin only played 6 minutes tonight... assuming he re-aggravated his upper body injury.
- Johansen now has 13 SOG in his last 2 games.
- Connauton's primary assist on Johansen's goal should be getting a lot more credit than what it has got so far... no look pass, accurate as can be. Extremely impressed with him. He's had one game that stands out as 'bad' which was against the Islanders in which he was a -3 and played sloppy d that game. If he continues at the pace, signing him once his contract is up would be a no brainer.

Very informative post. Thanks.

Where do you get your corsi info so soon after the game?

Connauton could probably be signed to an extension on the cheap right now. That virtually assures that he won't be.

 

[ReggieRed]

Fun game!

Johansen is so good that it's sickening. That top-of-the-circle one time snap shot was wicked. Great pass by #4. Johansen made a perfect 40 foot saucer pass to (I forget) at the beginning of period 2 that was sheer hockey artistry. Those two plays alone made it a worthwhile hockey experience. Might be just me, but I thought that the crowd was much more enthusiastic toward him tonight than earlier this season. I'm guessing that his boffo performance at the Skills Comp erased most of the residual resentment toward him for not being a dutiful and grateful signer of the absurd, lowball 2 year bridge. About time.

I noticed that same pass...it was in the air for something like 40 ft and dropped right over a Caps stick and to the CBJ player just 5 feet or so behind the defender. Who can make that kind of cross-ice saucer pass to a covered player like that? While it didn't lead to a scoring a scoring chance, I still had to rewind the DVR and make my son come out and watch it. That Johansen fella is going to be a hoss!

 

[EspenK]

Very informative post. Thanks.

Where do you get your corsi info so soon after the game?

Connauton could probably be signed to an extension on the cheap right now. That virtually assures that he won't be.

Is that true? He is signed for next year. I didn't think you could extend a guy until the last year of his deal? That being said I sure hope they keep him around. He's been pretty darn good imo.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Johansen's confidence is sky-high right now. Perhaps a combination of generally playing well plus some All-Star weekend high. Indeed I'd say it's possible the ASW will provide him a nice boost for the rest of the season, between generating additional goodwill with the hometowners plus seeing himself alongside those other All-Stars and belonging. He's a treat to watch right now. I don't think anyone has ever played better in a CBJ sweater, although Rick Nash had stretches where he was equally good, but not better I don't think.

If CBJ loses last night's game 3-2, I think we're banging on CMac for (again) his poor rebound control. He moves well, and will give you a big save in almost every game, but he's also going to kill you when things get scrambly.

Which brings me to the defense. It was, as it has been much of the season, inadequate. As long as things are slow and steady and they can control space in their zone, they're OK, but once the other team starts skating, making things happen, they turn Keystone Kops. Savard in particular has dropped off whatever improved play he had. He looks slow and his vision/anticipation/coverage is poor.

 

[Dr. Fire]

Not going to blame CMac for any of those goals. One he was totally screened, and on another Savard fell on him, making a save impossible. If he can play consistently well, we have a chance to win games. I still think the fork is sticking out of them in terms of making the play-offs, but I would still like to see them create havoc for the other post-season contenders.

Joey's shot was just plain wicked, and it was nice to see Test tube get one. You might say Cam got a gift, but the guy has a knack for being in the right spot at the right time.

Oh, and nice crowd for a Tuesday game. That was good to see. My section in Club was full, which is usually not the case unless the game is sold out.

 

[ca5150]

Fun game!

Richards may as well leave Atkinson with Foligno and Johansen. Atkinson was a big time college scorer-he's either going to make it in the NHL as a top 6er or he won't. He's a scorer, pure and simple. Trying to "spread out" the scoring with the donkeys who populate the bottom 6 on this team is futile. There is no secondary scoring on this team. Which figures given that 5 of the forwards who played tonight aren't NHL material (right now anyway in a couple of cases). Poor Letestu. The hockey Gods had mercy upon him when they channeled that Tropp pass. In all fairness, Tropp looked capable tonight. Probably an illusion.

Johansen is so good that it's sickening. That top-of-the-circle one time snap shot was wicked. Great pass by #4. Johansen made a perfect 40 foot saucer pass to (I forget) at the beginning of period 2 that was sheer hockey artistry. Those two plays alone made it a worthwhile hockey experience. Might be just me, but I thought that the crowd was much more enthusiastic toward him tonight than earlier this season. I'm guessing that his boffo performance at the Skills Comp erased most of the residual resentment toward him for not being a dutiful and grateful signer of the absurd, lowball 2 year bridge. About time.

I'm so glad that the FO was willing to give this kid a contract term the same length as #40. Gives me so much confidence in their judgement.

Speaking of #40, the penalty that he took after CBJ goal #3 ought to earn him a spot in the press box.....for a nice, long stretch. The guy is 5 nautical miles south of completely useless.

Interesting PK strategy which left Ovechkin alone in the circle. Heard HCTR reasoning behind it on the post game......made sense. He thinks that "shadowing" Ovi opens up too much other talent on Washington to do their things. Makes for an interesting shooting gallery as Ovechkin has never seen a shot he didn't like to take.

Agree that the timing of Boll's penalty was bad and it was a dumb penalty, but you should also give him credit when he does something good, he made an excellent pass out that lead to the letestu goal. If everyone on our team were sent to the press box for dumb penalty, we would have NOBODY left except the goalies, picking on Boll is an easy target to get attention from the board, your posts are better than that

 

[pete goegan]

...If CBJ loses last night's game 3-2, I think we're banging on CMac for (again) his poor rebound control. He moves well, and will give you a big save in almost every game, but he's also going to kill you when things get scrambly.

Which brings me to the defense. It was, as it has been much of the season, inadequate. As long as things are slow and steady and they can control space in their zone, they're OK, but once the other team starts skating, making things happen, they turn Keystone Kops. Savard in particular has dropped off whatever improved play he had. He looks slow and his vision/anticipation/coverage is poor.

I agree about Savard, he really looks lost when the pressure is on. Agree, too, that CMac has problems with rebound control; but I was impressed, last night, with improvements in his positioning. In the past, he would fling himself about, putting himself out of position and leaving gaping holes to the net. Vs. Washington, he was much more controlled, allowing himself the opportunity to make some very tough stops. Let's hope this is a sign of things to come, I'd like them to be no farther out when Bob returns.

 

[Forepar]

Have you ever not followed the thread during the game and only read it after the game beginning to end? It's doomsday every goal and we win the cup every goal, haha. It's a roller coaster of bi-polar madness. Kinda funny to read after a win

I usually don't read the GDT until the next morning.
As I read, I find myself wondering if CBJ won or lost.

And then I remember...
I watched the freakin' game!

That's how addictive and psycho this is...or maybe I was all along and my true self only began to come out when I started following the Boards...
or the Jackets...

Good win. 1 down, 25 to go.

 

[DarkandStormy]

I think Wennberg looked more comfortable tonight. Did well in the face-off circle, was good at chasing down the puck, and he made some smart passes.

I thought to myself "even though I'd like to see Wennberg down in the AHL getting top line minutes, I'd take one of him over a hundred Jared Bolls."

Hmm...I thought Wennberg was pretty bad. Finished -3 (not a great stat) - but only Jacket at -3 for the night. Mostly unnoticeable except for a few good board plays, imo.

 

[JacketsDavid]

is it coaching or lack of focus (players) that we tend to give up so many goals immediately after we score (next shift)? Happened twice last night and although I have not dug thru the stats it seems like it happens to us at pretty high rate?

I agree crowd was outstanding (in size) for a Tuesday night game. If I see the back of section 122 filled it's usually a good sign and last night was full.

RyJo was fantastic. Lot of confidence right now.

Curtis likely understands he has 4-6 weeks to potentially get a 2-3 year contract as a NHL backup. If he doesn't play well he very well could be year to year, so big opportunity for him.

 

[SuperGenius]

Mac looks good tonight....

XM NHL Network tonight congratulated CBJ for a great All-Star weekend.... They also are supporting the CBJ injury complaints being over 250 man games etc. but did say the Penguins had one of the worst injury seasons in history last year and were still good enough to advance in the playoffs.....

This is like comparing a 20 year old and a 12 year old when given the same test.

 

[EspenK]

is it coaching or lack of focus (players) that we tend to give up so many goals immediately after we score (next shift)? Happened twice last night and although I have not dug thru the stats it seems like it happens to us at pretty high rate?

I agree crowd was outstanding (in size) for a Tuesday night game. If I see the back of section 122 filled it's usually a good sign and last night was full.

RyJo was fantastic. Lot of confidence right now.

Curtis likely understands he has 4-6 weeks to potentially get a 2-3 year contract as a NHL backup. If he doesn't play well he very well could be year to year, so big opportunity for him.

I think it is in our DNA. been happening from Day 1.

 

[Nordique]

gotta at least give credit to the whipping boy for making that play happen, can't just bash without giving some credit if he does something well, nice outlet pass broke things that lead to the goal. I thought he had an effective game, minus the penalty, that didn't cost us.

Good pass in transition, but dangerous cross ice (risk/reward), plays like that deserve an assist Bad penalty though. He played well, and its a home crowd bonus to dress Boll for many fans in attendance. I'd like to see him 30-40 games a year, I think he plays better when he sits a game two between dressing.

 

[major major]

If CBJ loses last night's game 3-2, I think we're banging on CMac for (again) his poor rebound control. He moves well, and will give you a big save in almost every game, but he's also going to kill you when things get scrambly.

Which brings me to the defense. It was, as it has been much of the season, inadequate. As long as things are slow and steady and they can control space in their zone, they're OK, but once the other team starts skating, making things happen, they turn Keystone Kops. Savard in particular has dropped off whatever improved play he had. He looks slow and his vision/anticipation/coverage is poor.

I have to give CMac some credit - our strategy on the PK appeared to be "Focus on the other four guys and let Curtis handle Ovy". And it somehow worked.

I agree Savard has dropped off. The Savard haters will say he was always bad, but I don't agree, earlier this year he was one of our best.

 

[NotWendell]

Not going to blame CMac for any of those goals. One he was totally screened, and on another Savard fell on him, making a save impossible. If he can play consistently well, we have a chance to win games. I still think the fork is sticking out of them in terms of making the play-offs, but I would still like to see them create havoc for the other post-season contenders.

Joey's shot was just plain wicked, and it was nice to see Test tube get one. You might say Cam got a gift, but the guy has a knack for being in the right spot at the right time.

Oh, and nice crowd for a Tuesday game. That was good to see. My section in Club was full, which is usually not the case unless the game is sold out.

CMac's biggest weakness, it seems to me (not a goalie coach), is his lateral movement.

 

[NotWendell]

I have to give CMac some credit - our strategy on the PK appeared to be "Focus on the other four guys and let Curtis handle Ovy". And it somehow worked.

I agree Savard has dropped off. The Savard haters will say he was always bad, but I don't agree, earlier this year he was one of our best.

Ovie is so easy to defend on the PP. He stands in the same spot and always shoots.

 

[ca5150]

Good pass in transition, but dangerous cross ice (risk/reward), plays like that deserve an assist Bad penalty though. He played well, and its a home crowd bonus to dress Boll for many fans in attendance. I'd like to see him 30-40 games a year, I think he plays better when he sits a game two between dressing.

He was at the blue line so I didn't see it as a dangerous pass, as much as I would have had he been on the hash marks or deeper. I think the 4th line was effective, though I would prefer to see a line of Boll-Letestu-Skille than Tropp. Boll scored a lot of goals in Jr., he has some skills, given the right linemates. He's never going to carry it end to end, but he doesn't usually give the puck away. I don't follow the Corsi much, but each time I've seen someone post it, his Corsi is usually in the top half. But I'm not sold on that stat yet as a whole...

 

[Nordique]

He was at the blue line so I didn't see it as a dangerous pass, as much as I would have had he been on the hash marks or deeper. I think the 4th line was effective, though I would prefer to see a line of Boll-Letestu-Skille than Tropp. Boll scored a lot of goals in Jr., he has some skills, given the right linemates. He's never going to carry it end to end, but he doesn't usually give the puck away. I don't follow the Corsi much, but each time I've seen someone post it, his Corsi is usually in the top half. But I'm not sold on that stat yet as a whole...

We don't score if he doesn't move that puck cross ice to JJ. It was a good pass, I rewound my set twice to watch that whole sequence. I do think Boll has skill and clearly he can make plays, can't say I agree that he's the best option over Tropp though.

 

[Viqsi]

Have you ever not followed the thread during the game and only read it after the game beginning to end? It's doomsday every goal and we win the cup every goal, haha. It's a roller coaster of bi-polar madness. Kinda funny to read after a win

We've had our disagreements in the past, but this particular turn of phrase is so wonderfully apropos, you get a cookie.

 

[ca5150]

We've had our disagreements in the past, but this particular turn of phrase is so wonderfully apropos, you get a cookie.

Haha, thank you sir, I will enjoy that cookie

 

[ca5150]

We don't score if he doesn't move that puck cross ice to JJ. It was a good pass, I rewound my set twice to watch that whole sequence. I do think Boll has skill and clearly he can make plays, can't say I agree that he's the best option over Tropp though.

Troop hasn't scored in 62 games, I think we all remember the goal against Pitt a little too much and think he has more skill than he does.

 

[Johansen2Foligno]

Troop hasn't scored in 62 games, I think we all remember the goal against Pitt a little too much and think he has more skill than he does.

He tried that same move last night as well. You have to admit, it was a really pretty goal.

 

[major major]

Haha, thank you sir, I will enjoy that cookie

Viqsi is a lady. There are a few here.