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

[KeithBWhittington]

I'm proud to call myself a bluejackets fan after last night. I know I'm usually mr. Glass half empty, but this team played hard even in defeat, they didn't take their teammates being abused with their heads down like past bluejackets teams and anybody that says this team would be better w/o Dubinsky and Anisimov (Erixon too) and better with Nash is straight fooling themselves. This team has shown character, heart and desire, something past teams all lacked. It has shown that it has a goaltender that that has some emotion beyond whining when things don't go his way. I'm disappointed with the result last night, but I can see that this team will be in it till the end again this season and I like our chances if we get matched up against the Rags again.

 

[KeithBWhittington]

As I said yesterday before the game. Celebrating Nash in any form was the wrong way to go last night. The amount of people shocked by his actions on this board alone tell the story. He is just another player when he comes into Nationwide, I think RyJo reminded people of that when he dumped Nash early.

Rick Nash didn't build Nationwide Arena, it was here before Nash, and, as you heard last night when he touched the puck, it will be here LONG after.

When Rick decides to hang them up, invite him back, ceremonial stick, puck drop, Rick Nash night, whatever the hell you want... Until then, he proved his intentions last night, it's time to ramp up th intensity, Jackets, Nash is motivated, and we have seen first hand hat that means.

 

[JacketsDavid]

Last night was the first night I've seen Nash park his big butt in front of the goalie since his Sophmore year in the league. Bob did what he had to do when he chopped him down, RyJo also flatted him pretty good, and congrats on the boys for standing up for Bob. A lot of years our team would have taken that and waited for 1 guy (Shelley, Boll or Dorsett to handle it). I just wish it was someone a little biggger than Calvert who challenged Nash.
As I said in another thread he is very thin skinned and it was pretty obvious the booing rattled him a bit, maybe it actually helped the Rangers, who knows. But he played a different game.
But what a great atmosphere. One of the top 5 atmospheres of all time (2 playoff games, season final last year, home opener year 1).
The lack of scoring recently is diappointing, but honestly if you look at our roster (even with Gabby) we are built around goaltending and defense. offense happens not because of talent but because of hard work and a little luck. We're running into some hot goalies (and good ones). Keep playing hard boys, rough week coming up!

 

[Dr. Fire]

The lack of scoring lately is hard to fathom. Not long ago we were what, 6th in goals for? I think definitely top ten. But that was pretty unexpected too, coming into the season. Maybe we're coming back to earth?

Not long ago we were also respectably ranked on the PP, moreso at home. I don't know where we are now after this horrid stretch

I think teams have figured out how to defend against the Jackets. The Jackets need to score greasy goals. Watching the last few games, teams are collapsing to the front of the net, and denying the Jackets rebounds by clearing pucks, and generally being in the way. The Jackets aren't going to get a lot of goals off of the rush.

Deny them greasy goals, and they are not going to score.

 

[CBJRzeznik]

Great game-bad outcome. Refocused on today where I become the biggest STL, MIN, MTL, NJ, and SJ fan in the world. Somebody has to give us some freaking in the standings!!!!!

 

[EspenK]

I think after tonight you need to change your user name.

Trust me, it's taking everything in me not to. I really want to, but I just don't know what.

CBJ****Brass16 ?

 

[Fro]

i think you're right David, the boo-ing did rattle nash...and perhaps it lit a fire under them, but i really think he thought he'd come back here and everyone would cheer for him and that he had everyone believing he was innocent and the good guy in all of it... **** him...

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

If you'll indulge a little morning-after gloom:

The thing about last night's game that gets me the most is that once again karmic justice (from a CBJ perspective) is not served. Be it former players, teams against whom there is a grudge or whatever, it seems (and I try not to be an inferiority complex fan) that things work out in favor of those for whom it's (as a CBJ fan) undeserved.

Nash gets a triumphant return in a game where he's a punk, Brass scores the GWG... Where are the GD hockey gods? I'm nt going to list all the past instances of this - we all know what they are - but criminy. Enough already. Someone switch the thumb to the other side of the scales of justice, hm? Thanks.

Gloom rant over.

 

[Cash for Nash]

i think you're right David, the boo-ing did rattle nash...and perhaps it lit a fire under them, but i really think he thought he'd come back here and everyone would cheer for him and that he had everyone believing he was innocent and the good guy in all of it... **** him...

There is no question it did. He was still being petty and whining about it postgame.

I gotta admit though. I was shocked at the level of booing. I didn't mind it...but I was surprised. Good for Cbus!

 

[Fro]

good little rant DSL

 

[pete goegan]

If you'll indulge a little morning-after gloom:

The thing about last night's game that gets me the most is that once again karmic justice (from a CBJ perspective) is not served. Be it former players, teams against whom there is a grudge or whatever, it seems (and I try not to be an inferiority complex fan) that things work out in favor of those for whom it's (as a CBJ fan) undeserved.

Nash gets a triumphant return in a game where he's a punk, Brass scores the GWG... Where are the GD hockey gods? I'm nt going to list all the past instances of this - we all know what they are - but criminy. Enough already. Someone switch the thumb to the other side of the scales of justice, hm? Thanks.

Gloom rant over.

I'm with you, but, as you know, it sometimes takes years and years for karma to kick in. You surely remember that the Steelers were the dregs of football for all of the '50s and '60s and the Pirates were just as bad in the '50s and '80-'2012. Then things turned around for them both.

Cue Ruby and the Romantics: "Our day will come..."

 

[cbj21]

I have never seen Nash as emotional as he was after last nights game while speaking to the Ranger media. At beginning of the interviews he was shaking and looked dissapointed, sad, happy and angry. All at the same time. Don't think he had expected that kind of game or atmosphere.

Can't wait until next time these teams meet

 

[Xoggz22]

What pizsed me off was Brassard with the game winner. Guys invisible all night, just like his days in Columbus, gets a lucky bounce. Killed me.

We looked tired and the PP has deserted us...

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

If you'll indulge a little morning-after gloom:

The thing about last night's game that gets me the most is that once again karmic justice (from a CBJ perspective) is not served. Be it former players, teams against whom there is a grudge or whatever, it seems (and I try not to be an inferiority complex fan) that things work out in favor of those for whom it's (as a CBJ fan) undeserved.

Nash gets a triumphant return in a game where he's a punk, Brass scores the GWG... Where are the GD hockey gods? I'm nt going to list all the past instances of this - we all know what they are - but criminy. Enough already. Someone switch the thumb to the other side of the scales of justice, hm? Thanks.

Gloom rant over.

Have to say there is little talk of Brassard right now but when he scored that goal he celebrated like it was his first pee wee goal. I also recall him not exactly speaking glowingly of his time in Columbus. He needs booed just as much as Nash every time he touches the puck. I despise him just as much as Nash.

 

[We Want Ten]

I myself think Bob was overly chippy with Nash, but after the scrum, Nash wouldn't even barely carry the puck into the face off circles before shooting. So point made.

Rags fan is going to be sorely disappointed if they think the energy Nash showed last night carries over any. He will go back to being soft and invisible taking Brassard with him.

I'm more disappointed with all the penalties, ugh.

 

[cbjfaninmo]

What pizsed me off was Brassard with the game winner. Guys invisible all night, just like his days in Columbus, gets a lucky bounce. Killed me.

We looked tired and the PP has deserted us...

If our PP resembled anything close to a PP, I think it would have been a different game. Man, we need to get PP going. Oh, by the way, screw Rick Nash, screw Brassard and screw the rest of the Rangers.

 

[DJA]

I really hopes the chips fall right and we play these softies again in the playoffs. I think they showed that they don't like physical play and we can really grind them down and get under their skin over the course of 7 games. If Bob hugs the post about 5 more inches and if we had anything resembling a power play, we would have won the game last night. In the playoffs, these things tend to even out and I think we'd have the advantage.

To a man though, I dislike every player on that squad. I even respected Lundqvist in the past, but his douchey post-game comments added him to the list.

 

[We Want Ten]

I really hopes the chips fall right and we play these softies again in the playoffs. I think they showed that they don't like physical play and we can really grind them down and get under their skin over the course of 7 games. If Bob hugs the post about 5 more inches and if we had anything resembling a power play, we would have won the game last night. In the playoffs, these things tend to even out and I think we'd have the advantage.

To a man though, I dislike every player on that squad. I even respected Lundqvist in the past, but his douchey post-game comments added him to the list.

Oh man, that's the biggest thing I noticed watching them.
They have to be the softest contender in the Metro, maybe softest team period.

 

[ScreamingWild]

I imagine that if the roles were reversed and a goalie did that to one of our players we would be pretty upset. However, things weren't reversed and I LOVED that laugh and smile on Bob's face!!! He seemed to get his message across that this isn't Rick's "same old Jackets" anymore! Rick got punked by Bob! I'll take that any day of the week. Who knew it would be so easy to get under Nash's skin? Hated the final score but loved the game.

 

[db2011]

https://vine.co/v/MMeaVpYpg1Z

Hilarious

 

[Bobcat110]

Rags fan is going to be sorely disappointed if they think the energy Nash showed last night carries over any. He will go back to being soft and invisible taking Brassard with him.

I think it just creates greater dislike of him by Ranger fans. They see the player he can be and hate him for not being that player. However, other than some emotional physical reactions to CBJ, he was a non-factor in game outcome anyway. He had 7 SOG and 0 hits and 0 points. But a sighting of the rare engaged Nash can make for entertaining hockey.

Even though this was a loss, the CBJ need games like this on a more frequent basis. We're still in good position. Just afraid the team may be flat tomorrow after two emotional games. Probably not fair to the team, the only game in recent memory where they were flat was Chicago, so I'm sure they'll be ready to roll.

 

[We Want Ten]

I think it just creates greater dislike of him by Ranger fans. They see the player he can be and hate him for not being that player. However, other than some emotional physical reactions to CBJ, he was a non-factor in game outcome anyway. He had 7 SOG and 0 hits and 0 points. But a sighting of the rare engaged Nash can make for entertaining hockey.

Even though this was a loss, the CBJ need games like this on a more frequent basis. We're still in good position. Just afraid the team may be flat tomorrow after two emotional games. Probably not fair to the team, the only game in recent memory where they were flat was Chicago, so I'm sure they'll be ready to roll.

Change rangers to CBJ. Sounds very familiar. Same song different tune.

 

[Bobcat110]

Change rangers to CBJ. Sounds very familiar. Same song different tune.

Yep. Except that in Columbus, he was excused for his play because he didn't have a first line center or other "talent" around him. He does not get that get that pass now in NY.

 

[213 Sentinel]

I think teams have figured out how to defend against the Jackets. The Jackets need to score greasy goals. Watching the last few games, teams are collapsing to the front of the net, and denying the Jackets rebounds by clearing pucks, and generally being in the way. The Jackets aren't going to get a lot of goals off of the rush.

Deny them greasy goals, and they are not going to score.

I've had the same feeling about teams figuring out the Jackets. CBJ need to alter their forecheck a bit to include crashing the net. AND getting Horton involved...somehow.

 

[futurcorerock]

If you'll indulge a little morning-after gloom:

The thing about last night's game that gets me the most is that once again karmic justice (from a CBJ perspective) is not served. Be it former players, teams against whom there is a grudge or whatever, it seems (and I try not to be an inferiority complex fan) that things work out in favor of those for whom it's (as a CBJ fan) undeserved.

Nash gets a triumphant return in a game where he's a punk, Brass scores the GWG... Where are the GD hockey gods? I'm nt going to list all the past instances of this - we all know what they are - but criminy. Enough already. Someone switch the thumb to the other side of the scales of justice, hm? Thanks.

Gloom rant over.

As with anything in life, Karmic justice is never singular, and is never once served in a vacuum:

So what if Nash and Brass got the last laugh? This is game 4 of the season series, one of which the Rangers have lost twice. Of those two, our ex-Ranger players Dubinsky and Anisimov have both shined in the wins. Not only that, we took both games in MSG, and one of those games vs. a division rival took place during the "dark ages" of the season when Bob had his groin pull.

And that doesn't include what the other flip of the coin is for the Rangers: Their top 3 acquisitions in the past few seasons are all perceived to be underperforming according to their contracts: Nothings needs to be said about Brad Richards, and St. Louis has failed to score a goal since the trade. If you spend some time talking to Rangers fans, you'll hear the same apprehension about Nash's contract and his contribution when it matters. Fast forward to last year's playoffs and you'll see exactly what we saw: A great talent that seemed to always score the first goal of the game that would bear little significance on the outcome, or maybe had the goal late in a game which had already been decided.

This Rangers team, while dynamic and with the pieces of being a cup contender, are not without their flaws. This is the same team that followed an identical story arc as the Jackets and Flyers: Putrid start to the season followed by a lot of "make up" hockey to get back to relevancy. Any of the teams in the Metro inspire 0 fear in the buzz saw coming from the Boston Bruins in the 2nd round or the conference finals, and I don't think any of these teams hold a prayer against any one of St. Louis, Chicago, San Jose, etc.

And that's not considering the possibility of us drawing them in the first round, which is a series we match up well against.

So what's the karmic justice of Rick Nash winning a "playoff atmosphere" (read: late season divisional matchup) game, when so many other things may, and likely will happen to rob an ex-Jacket of the reward of demanding a trade?

All that being said, I have 0 answers for the Karmic justice of Jeff Carter.