GDT: Game 73: Columbus vs. Pittsburgh | 3/28 7:00PM EDT

[ca5150]

Definitely. I'm not hating on the guy, Pens feed just showed him shaking his head in disgust on the bench...it's not like he's not trying. Something is wrong though. This is way beyond post-injury groove-hunting or whatever.

Two guys currently sitting bring more to the table than Horton at this moment IMO.

Jody Shelley said on the radio the other day he thinks Horton has an injury not related to the shoulder. And he looks like it, maybe a groin or sports hernia. He isn't skating nearly as good as when he first came back and he is giving up shooting chances to make bad passes, I think he's beat up all around and needs to sit. It's time though. He hasn't been practicing, something is going on and my guess is it requires surgery that will end his season so he's trying to fight through it and contribute. I'm not down on the effort, he just doesn't have the physical tools right now and Boll or Tropp need to go in.

 

[ca5150]

I don't want to sound like a "noob", but am I rooting for Toronto or Philidelphia? I'd prefer both got struck by lightning myself...

I was rooting for Toronto because they are the worse team, with less games left and we play Philly one more time, isn't the worst they lost, will be rooting for them against Det tomorrow.

 

[major major]

Jody Shelley said on the radio the other day he thinks Horton has an injury not related to the shoulder. And he looks like it, maybe a groin or sports hernia. He isn't skating nearly as good as when he first came back and he is giving up shooting chances to make bad passes, I think he's beat up all around and needs to sit. It's time though. He hasn't been practicing, something is going on and my guess is it requires surgery that will end his season so he's trying to fight through it and contribute. I'm not down on the effort, he just doesn't have the physical tools right now and Boll or Tropp need to go in.

That theory makes a lot of sense. His skating has been bad and he just looks uncomfortable out there in a way that's got to be in his core. He's hurting the team right now and we've got to sit him. I don't think Horton's the kind of guy to be lazy, he's just trying to fight through something and it's not working. There's no sense in keeping throwing him out there, he's not about to breakout and there's no playoff magic coming from him if his body doesn't improve.

 

[jackets4life]

Agree about Horton, dude has to be injured. He's way to easy to knock off the puck, he seems timid going into puck battles and rarely wins them, he is damn near afraid to lay a heavy check. It all changed with him sometime after that game vs Philadelphia where he had a beautiful goal. Since around that time he just hasn't been right. Shame, really, it's tough spot for Richards, what exactly to do with the guy.

Overall, a good effort tonight, the first Pens goal was weak but it was on their 28th shot or so, can't fault McElhinney. The 2nd goal McElhinney got screwed by JJ, playing twinkly toes in the o-zone, turns the puck over leading to an easy 2v1 for the Pens the other way. Shame we couldn't tie it late, but Fleury was sharp tonight, he was adue for a W and we were the unfortunate opposition.

Pens fans around me tonight were good people, still a shame though that the majority of people of this city don't give a flying **** about anything but OSU football.

 

[ca5150]

I agree that Skille should be up here. We need a spark and he's capable of providing one.

There are two or three candidates that we can safely put on waivers and let them head down to the minors. We have plenty of cap space.

Maybe a spark in the training room with Murray, he's been out the last 6 games and hasn't played since Mar. 14

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

HCTR suggested we could see some lineup changes "for fresh legs."



The offensive zone is an issue. There's a little bit of gripping the stick, a little bit of needing Horton, a little bit of lack of recognition/creativity and a need for a better concept.

Foligno or Anisimov making a surge there wouldn't hurt.

 

[jackets4life]

I still like our chances of getting in the playoffs, to be honest. However, knowing we will be up against either Boston or Pittsburgh is disappointing, considering how we've done against them. I will be happy if we win just one playoff game, that's all I ask.

 

[ca5150]

Agree about Horton, dude has to be injured. He's way to easy to knock off the puck, he seems timid going into puck battles and rarely wins them, he is damn near afraid to lay a heavy check. It all changed with him sometime after that game vs Philadelphia where he had a beautiful goal. Since around that time he just hasn't been right. Shame, really, it's tough spot for Richards, what exactly to do with the guy.

Overall, a good effort tonight, the first Pens goal was weak but it was on their 28th shot or so, can't fault McElhinney. The 2nd goal McElhinney got screwed by JJ, playing twinkly toes in the o-zone, turns the puck over leading to an easy 2v1 for the Pens the other way. Shame we couldn't tie it late, but Fleury was sharp tonight, he was adue for a W and we were the unfortunate opposition.

Pens fans around me tonight were good people, still a shame though that the majority of people of this city don't give a flying **** about anything but OSU football.

I don't think it's lack of effort from Horton, you can know what to do in your head but when your body won't respond, you're stuck. He needs to sit, we all agree, but I'm also not going to bash him this season, he gets a pass until he's healthy in my book. But he def should take a week off. I think after the season is over, we'll find out he was playing through a surgery releated issue and that's why he's avoiding contact and skating so slow. This isn't the Horton that was dominate for the Bruins in the playoffs last few years.

 

[blahblah]

I still like our chances of getting in the playoffs, to be honest. However, knowing we will be up against either Boston or Pittsburgh is disappointing, considering how we've done against them. I will be happy if we win just one playoff game, that's all I ask.

Let's chat again after that ugly 3 game stretch coming up. Until we get half the points, or more, from those games I'm not prepared to make a claim on our chances. If we can somehow pick up 6 points in the next 4 games; I'll feel a lot better. That would leave us at 86 with 5 games to go and reasonable competition.

 

[ca5150]

I still like our chances of getting in the playoffs, to be honest. However, knowing we will be up against either Boston or Pittsburgh is disappointing, considering how we've done against them. I will be happy if we win just one playoff game, that's all I ask.

Pitt doesn't scare me that much, I'm not sure I wouldn't rather play them than either the Rangers or Flyers at this point. They have tons of injuries, and average goaltending. I dread playing Boston though, they will probably run the table against everyone.

 

[jackets4life]

I don't think it's lack of effort from Horton, you can know what to do in your head but when your body won't respond, you're stuck. He needs to sit, we all agree, but I'm also not going to bash him this season, he gets a pass until he's healthy in my book. But he def should take a week off. I think after the season is over, we'll find out he was playing through a surgery releated issue and that's why he's avoiding contact and skating so slow. This isn't the Horton that was dominate for the Bruins in the playoffs last few years.

Agree with you. Can't hate on the guy for what he can't control, but if he is injured and playing through something even semi-serious, why is Richards insisting on using him. It's not about the guy's effort or even confidence, it's about the fact that Boll would be more useful to us right now, cut and dry.

 

[Cash for Nash]

Pitt doesn't scare me that much, I'm not sure I wouldn't rather play them than either the Rangers or Flyers at this point. They have tons of injuries, and average goaltending. I dread playing Boston though, they will probably run the table against everyone.

You're crazy. We haven't done dick against them. I don't think we've lead once.

 

[squarelaces]

It goes without saying that I'm a Boll supporter but that quote the other day about some days the ankle doesn't feel right troubles me. We need him at 100% or not at all. That said, if Jared was in tonight and Horton was out, it would have been him in the penalty box rather than Foligno and he would have just beaten that guy down.

 

[jackets4life]

Pitt doesn't scare me that much, I'm not sure I wouldn't rather play them than either the Rangers or Flyers at this point.

Agree about NYR and PHI, but 0 for 5...the numbers vs Pens speak for themselves. We couldn't beat them tonight with half of Wilkes Barre playing for them, what makes you think we will be able to take 4 of 7 from them when Geno and others get back?

 

[Cash for Nash]

Let's chat again after that ugly 3 game stretch coming up. Until we get half the points, or more, from those games I'm not prepared to make a claim on our chances. If we can somehow pick up 6 points in the next 4 games; I'll feel a lot better. That would leave us at 86 with 5 games to go and reasonable competition.

The question is:

Why can't we score? What the hell is going on? Don't say Horton....That's a given.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

I guess I'm the only one who would rather go with Boston. Our game is speed and forecheck, and Boston is basically the same way. For whatever reason, we always seem to try to play to our opponents style instead of sticking to ours (Example tonight trying to get in a track meet with the Pens. We took it too them physically in the beginning of the 1st and we had alot of success, but then never went back to it.) Since Boston plays closer to our style, I would feel more comfortable with them than Pittsburgh.

 

[jackets4life]

The question is:

Why can't we score? What the hell is going on? Don't say Horton....That's a given.

If anyone on here knew the real answer to that they would be behind the CBJ bench making the big bucks.

 

[NotWendell]

I'm less and less confident that we'll figure things out in the offensive zone and will miss out on the playoffs.

After Carolina we have the Flyers and 2 teams approaching 100 points.

I'm really beginning to think we'll miss out by 2 or 3 points. We might get saved by Detroit's injuries and a total collapse by Toronto. I think if we make it; we back our way in.

...and then we get swept (again).

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Aaron Portzline ‏@Aportzline 44s

#CBJ are 0-7-1 vs. Pittsburgh and Boston, but 26-13-2 vs. the rest of the Eastern Conference. #topheavy

 

[Robert]

I don’t think many thought the Jackets could/would win this game… The Jackets are hurting with injury and simply lack scoring of late.

It hurts to say this but the truth is... the Jackets must get better…

 

[ca5150]

You're crazy. We haven't done dick against them. I don't think we've lead once.

All but tonight were played in 2013, not a great comparison, also Cmac started 4 of the 5 and played half of the 5th game. We were battered and bruised for almost every game early on and all but one were close. Philly and NYR have been on a roll in 2014 and Pitt has been on a slide. I stand by my opinion.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

The question is:

Why can't we score? What the hell is going on? Don't say Horton....That's a given.

My only solution is we are still playing regular season hockey. Everyone in the race around us, or already in, are already in playoff mode. Blocking shots, tightening defense, hitting in the corners, restricting 2 on 1's, and converting on their powerplays. I have yet to see us tighten up defensively (doesn't include playing the prevent defense we tend to love to do) effectively. We seem to be good at participating in the grinding in the corners for a period, but after that we go away from it and try to beat others at their game.

 

[NotWendell]

I don’t think many thought the Jackets could/would win this game… The Jackets are hurting with injury and simply lack scoring of late.

It hurts to say this but the truth is... the Jackets must get better…

Now I'm actually starting to get pissed at Jarmo for not improving this team at the deadline. I've reserved judgement until tonight.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

All but tonight were played in 2013, not a great comparison, also Cmac started 4 of the 5 and played half of the 5th game. We were battered and bruised for almost every game early on and all but one were close. Philly and NYR have been on a roll in 2014 and Pitt has been on a slide. I stand by my opinion.

That's a good point. I forgot about CMac starting all the games (Except one) and our previous injury struggles. Gives me something to consider I guess if we get in and play them, but I still think I'd rather go with Boston.

 

[ca5150]

Agree about NYR and PHI, but 0 for 5...the numbers vs Pens speak for themselves. We couldn't beat them tonight with half of Wilkes Barre playing for them, what makes you think we will be able to take 4 of 7 from them when Geno and others get back?

See my other post, but like I said there, it looks bad but when you look at it, 4 of the 5 were in 2013 with Cmac in Net for 4.5 games. 4 of 5 close, Bob steals one or two of those. We are healthy at the right time, Murray should be back by playoffs too. Pitt is playing .400 hockey the last dozen games and Fleury has sucked since they won the cup, I would rather face him than Raske, who might be the best in the league. We can physically push around Pitt, Boston would toss us around.