GDT: Game 70: Columbus vs. New York Rangers | 3/21 7PM EDT

[JacketFanInFL]

I'm pretty much there with you. I guess we're "cliff jumpers", though.

Let's see, the pro-Nash crowd got a dose of reality tonight, and it's looking more and more like the JK supporters are going to have to defend missing the playoffs using a coveted 2nd round pick. JK's biggest splash has most deserving of a healthy scratch for some time now.

It may be that Richards is not responding well to the pressures of the stretch run with his healthy scratch decisions, too. For me, he's got a longer leash because I do really like how he's affected this team's approach, but I don't understand Umby being scratched either of these games.

We'll be good next year, but I don't see any reason why we shouldn't have made more of an effort to be better this year, too.

Agree wrt Richards. Dude has squeezed 2 gallons of water from a pound of granite. He's taken a team full of grinders (and RyJo), mediocre defense, and a superstar goalie and turned it into a respectable/borderline playoff team.

 

[Crede777]

I'm pretty much there with you. I guess we're "cliff jumpers", though.

Let's see, the pro-Nash crowd got a dose of reality tonight, and it's looking more and more like the JK supporters are going to have to defend missing the playoffs using a coveted 2nd round pick. JK's biggest splash has most deserving of a healthy scratch for some time now.

It may be that Richards is not responding well to the pressures of the stretch run with his healthy scratch decisions, too. For me, he's got a longer leash because I do really like how he's affected this team's approach, but I don't understand Umby being scratched either of these games.

We'll be good next year, but I don't see any reason why we shouldn't have made more of an effort to be better this year, too.

100% agree except for the Richards part. I think he takes a lot of heat if we miss the playoffs.

If this is what "Blue Jacket" hockey is, then "Blue Jacket" hockey is a losing strategy. Our defense would be great if we had better offense. Our offense would be great if we had better defense. What we have are defense that are offensively minded but can't score and defensively minded forwards who don't block enough shots.

Jarmo didn't make us better at the trade deadline. If anything, he made us worse. That should be entirely on him.

 

[DJA]

What is that now, 1-10-1 in the last 12 home sellouts?

 

[JacketFanInFL]

100% agree except for the Richards part. I think he takes a lot of heat if we miss the playoffs.

If this is what "Blue Jacket" hockey is, then "Blue Jacket" hockey is a losing strategy. Our defense would be great if we had better offense. Our offense would be great if we had better defense. What we have are defense that are offensively minded but can't score and defensively minded forwards who don't block enough shots.

Jarmo didn't make us better at the trade deadline. If anything, he made us worse. That should be entirely on him.

That's about as accurate of an assessment as I've seen. Great observations all around.

 

[hughescbj22]

I've only been watching hockey for around four years.

Do we miss Murray that much on defense?

I also don't understand how a powerplay can just look around as much as ours can. I watched the Kings and Capitals last night and both of those powerplays had people moving, circling, and attacking all over. Am I just missing something?

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Great game to go to. Nash is dead to the CBJ fans and myself. I didn't even see him recognize the fans after the standing O, but I could be wrong there.

I get what Nash did going after Bob after the stick thing, but what he did with Calvert was gutless. Fighting someone 5'11 when you're 6'4? Man up and fight someone your own size. Dick. Good riddance.

Oh, and yes, I have to agree with the pessimists tonight. I think we will miss the playoffs.

**** Nash, **** Brass

 

[db2011]

100% agree except for the Richards part. I think he takes a lot of heat if we miss the playoffs.

If this is what "Blue Jacket" hockey is, then "Blue Jacket" hockey is a losing strategy. Our defense would be great if we had better offense. Our offense would be great if we had better defense. What we have are defense that are offensively minded but can't score and defensively minded forwards who don't block enough shots.

Jarmo didn't make us better at the trade deadline. If anything, he made us worse. That should be entirely on him.

re Richards: heat if we miss the playoffs, yes. A lot? Not from me, anyway. I certainly think he's earned his job starting next year, and I think it'll be likelier that he gets extended next year than canned.

It's kind of interesting, he seems very suited to what seems to be JD/JK's approach to assembling and maintaining a team, but he wasn't their guy.

"Blue Jacket" hockey can be a winning strategy, but it's got to include some more skill. And a better power play.

 

[nhldiedinthe90s*]

Agree wrt Richards. Dude has squeezed 2 gallons of water from a pound of granite. He's taken a team full of grinders (and RyJo), mediocre defense, and a superstar goalie and turned it into a respectable/borderline playoff team.

X2 that Richards has earned another year no matter what happens.

I'll agree that we're obviously not some powerhouse, but are we really not better than the Caps, the Devils, and the Grand Rapids Griffins?

IMO this IS an Eastern Conference playoff caliber team all things considered. Barely. But we are one.

Some very questionable personnel decisions down the stretch + a power play w/ RyJo and one of the best Defensive snipers in the game should not have a run like this IMO.

 

[JacketFanInFL]

This all started too when Richards started tinkering with the lines (and lineup). Putting the boat anchor Horton on a line with RyJo was a mistake.

 

[Wolfy*]

**** Nash, **** Brass

That's kinda funny, since you call yourself CBJBrassard16

 

[ScreamingWild]

In my opinion:

Bob should have had that save but he didn't. Those goalies with perfect shutout records in their NHL career had very brief careers.

As someone else said, Nash certainly showed his true colors tonight. Why the hate, Rick? We get it, you wanted out, you got it, be happy.

If I never see Cam play another game as a Jacket, I'm okay with that. Scratching him for two games really paid dividends.

RJ and his fresh legs and improved recent play "could" have been a contribution to the game tonight.

I respect Richards but he making some really questionable decisions at not exactly the best time of the season. He almost seems to appear desperate in some of his calls.

Why all the passing and passing and passing until the other team gets the puck?

Richards had better be coming up with some line combinations that can score. Soon.

I haven't given up on the playoffs but the points and opportunities are slipping away. The team played tired tonight and that doesn't bode well for what lies ahead.

All that being said, GO JACKETS! I happen to believe you can do this!!!

 

[CBJWerenski8]

That's kinda funny, since you call yourself CBJBrassard16

Who cares what my username is. **** brass.

 

[NotWendell]

eff.

Well it was a great game. We got to see Nash's true colors, too. Cross checks Bob, decides to fight a guy much smaller than he is. What a great guy, huh?

No a lot to say, except the power play needs to improve and the GWG goal was a real stinker.

Really sucks.

Not only that, he whined in the post-game interviews about Bob "whacking him a couple times. Did you guys see that?!?" Never mind the fact he ran the goalie.

I was embarrassed by the portion of our crowd that booed him in the beginning. Proud of us for giving him a standing O. And by the end, I was right there with everyone else booing the hell outta him.

And to think we tried to build a franchise around this pretender?!? No wonder we sucked for years.

 

[MoeBartoli]

That's kinda funny, since you call yourself CBJBrassard16

I probably shouldn't speak for someone else, but sometimes you're stuck with the tattoo even if you've left the girlfriend. And at this point we all think the girlfriend is ugly. **** Brass

 

[NotWendell]

Who cares what my username is. **** brass.

I'm so proud of you.

 

[MoeBartoli]

Not only that, he whined in the post-game interviews about Bob "whacking him a couple times. Did you guys see that?!?" Never mind the fact he ran the goalie.

I was embarrassed by the portion of our crowd that booed him in the beginning. Proud of us for giving his a standing O. And by the end, I was right there with everyone else booing the hell outta him.

And to think we tried to build a franchise around this pretender?!? No wonder we sucked for years.

Great post, leesmith.

 

[NotWendell]

I'm with several others, stunned that Umberger wasn't in the lineup tonight. Apparently his two scratches were more punitive than strategic.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Not only that, he whined in the post-game interviews about Bob "whacking him a couple times. Did you guys see that?!?" Never mind the fact he ran the goalie.

I was embarrassed by the portion of our crowd that booed him in the beginning. Proud of us for giving his a standing O. And by the end, I was right there with everyone else booing the hell outta him.

And to think we tried to build a franchise around this pretender?!? No wonder we sucked for years.

I agree. I also hated how he chose to pick a fight with 5'11 Matt Calvert. He complained that Calvert slew footed him, but forgot to mention the fact that Nash held his stick like it was his own. **** Nash. I regret clapping during the ceremony, he didn't even acknowledge the fans. **** him

 

[SuperGenius]

Whale of a game. Going to need to play through this funk and find some goals again, but I cannot argue with the effort and style that I see. Get one on the Island and come back for another big one on Tuesday.

No one said it was going to be easy.

It's a shame they tied it at 1-1 so soon after the goal. The celebration on the glass in front of a Nash filled penalty box was just juicy.

 

[NotWendell]

Whale of a game. Going to need to play through this funk and find some goals again, but I cannot argue with the effort and style that I see. Get one on the Island and come back for another big one on Tuesday.

No one said it was going to be easy.

It's a shame they tied it at 1-1 so soon after the goal. The celebration on the glass in front of a Nash filled penalty box was just juicy.

I noticed that too and LOVED it!

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Aaron Portzline ‏@Aportzline 1m

Nash said Calvert skated in for the faceoff, cross-checked him twice, slew-footed and told him he was "coming at him no matter what."

Poor Ricky I'd be afraid of a 5'11 guy if I was 6'4 too

 

[Mayor Bee]

Richards making excuses saying we played hard under "very tough circumstances"...what's he referring to? the back to back? they better get used to it because it's only going to get tougher.

Standard postgame presser, defending his guys. What actually needs to be said will be done behind closed doors and isn't for the public.

 

[jackets4life]

So frustrating. I named my dog Nash 5 years ago...guess it's time to retrain him to the name Calvert.

But really, if that was anybody else but Calvert, Nash wouldn't have dared drop the gloves. Typical b**** player.

I just don't see it with this team right now, last year it was full speed ahead and this year the engine is sputtering at best.

Hate to say it, but I agree about Atkinson tonight, way too easy to take off the puck.

Horton is useless outside of the 5 hits he gave us tonight. Just useless, horrible. One shift both the other forwards are attacking the net and he's standing near the blue line along the boards just watching. Then he loafs for a line change. It scares me that we owe this guy so much money for so long a term.

We really could have used the extra weight in Umberger and Boll. If Tropp doesn't sit for one of them on Sunday then I give up on Richards, becuase that dude tonight had ZERO impact on the game. Absolutely nothing.

Figures Brassard would actually choose to score a goal now that he's not with us anymore. So glad that guy is out of town.

Finally, would like to give props to the Ranger fans behind us tonight. Easily the most friendly and entertaining people that have sat next to us over the course of this season. Crass, sure, but great fans and respectful, they knew their hockey. Lots of classless "casual" CBJ "fans" told them to F off at the end of the game, but I was happy to shake their hands. Safe travels back to New York, guys.

 

[Mayor Bee]

Aaron Portzline ‏@Aportzline 1m

Nash said Calvert skated in for the faceoff, cross-checked him twice, slew-footed and told him he was "coming at him no matter what."

Poor Ricky I'd be afraid of a 5'11 guy if I was 6'4 too

He's full of crap.

 

[MoeBartoli]

I'm with several others, stunned that Umberger wasn't in the lineup tonight. Apparently his two scratches were more punitive than strategic.

You're probably right that it is punitive. However I have this gut feeling that we may be seeing a trend emerge and that's actually the coach's default strategy. It almost seems to as the stakes increase, so does Richard's tendency to button things down even more. It's like the hockey version of football's "Marty-ball." In this version, you rely on more hitters and increased physical play, resulting in some more offensively talented to sit.

Many have said this is Blue Jackets hockey. I think that's only partially true. This team displayed it's strength on having four lines that could score, along with exceptional goaltending. It was a smart approach for a team lacking a prolific goal scorer (RyJo being the emerging exception). I think the line up tinkering and scratches have diluted that strategy just enough to be detrimental, leaving us with even more pressure to win 1-0 or 2-1 (and lately being on the wrong end).