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

[Robert]

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

The Jackets are better than ever in THEIR history but when compared to the league they still have work to do...

That said, there is still hope, 6 or 7 wins will get us in the playoffs..

 

[blahblah]

The question is:

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

You might want to look back at the previous two or three pages. We danced around this.

 

[major major]

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.

Our game isn't lacking in intensity. Lebrun said a couple weeks back we were the only team in the league playing with playoff intensity. Since then we've stepped off a bit, but we're not the Hurricanes yet.

 

[NotWendell]

Our game isn't lacking in intensity. Lebrun said a couple weeks back we were the only team in the league playing with playoff intensity. Since then we've stepped off a bit, but we're not the Hurricanes yet.

If anything (I'm agreeing with you here) I was thinking the rest of the league started playing playoff hockey, matching our intensity and making it more difficult for us to score.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

If anything (I'm agreeing with you here) I was thinking the rest of the league started playing playoff hockey, matching our intensity and making it more difficult for us to score.

Yeah you're right. I agree we were playing a 'playoff intensity', but I think others have joined in, and now surpassed.

 

[EDM]

I am somewhat surprised that anyone actually thought we would win this game. In assessing playoff chances this should have been considered likely loss going in.

 

[BluejacketNut]

This team is far away from being an actual contender. The biggest different between us and elite teams is puck possession and it starts with the passing. Elite teams passing is crisp and accurate, they can accept the passes and gain the zone with speed. We have trouble accepting the passes, keeping the puck in the zone, and just making accurate passes. In that part of the game it looked like a college team playing an NHL team

 

[EspenK]

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

Hey, wait a minute... when that 2nd round pick becomes the next Boone Jenner you'll have to eat those words!

And don't forget Matt Farttin...(typo)

 

[Jaxs]

I was so pissed when Kunitz and Bennet scored less than a minute apart. The Pens home away from home erupted again.

I wish we could beat these mother ****ers in our own barn.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

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

I suggested answers for these just 5 or 6 posts above yours. Feel free to read any time. Thanks.

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.

That's what I see.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Adding insult to insult...

TSN home page scoreboard shows final of 2-0 for this game.

 

[skimp]

Nationwide Arena half-full of Pens fans for playoff games would be the most embarrassing moment in franchise history.

 

[NotWendell]

Hey, wait a minute... when that 2nd round pick becomes the next Boone Jenner you'll have to eat those words!

And don't forget Matt Farttin...(typo)

Love good sarcasm! Props to you for this post and to CBJBrassard16 as well.

 

[jackets4life]

Nationwide Arena half-full of Pens fans for playoff games would be the most embarrassing moment in franchise history.

Bring on Boston! If we're going to get swept, I'd like to see an arena at least 3/4 full of Jackets fans.

 

[Cash for Nash]

Bring on Boston! If we're going to get swept, I'd like to see an arena at least 3/4 full of Jackets fans.

THIS!!!!!!!!!

Playing playoff road games in your own building would be a huge black eye and embarrassment for the entire organization.

 

[Nanabijou]

Nationwide Arena half-full of Pens fans for playoff games would be the most embarrassing moment in franchise history.

I don't think that will be an issue. The Wings fans were kept to a healthy minimum in 2009 and I'd expect the same against the Pens. The difference is the playoff tickets will sell while the regular season ones don't.

 

[Cash for Nash]

I don't think that will be an issue. The Wings fans were kept to a healthy minimum in 2009 and I'd expect the same against the Pens. The difference is the playoff tickets will sell while the regular season ones don't.

The wings fans were never....ever as large in number or especially as obnoxious as Pens fans are today.

I'd expect 8K minimum (Pens fans) for a playoff game here. Maybe more.

 

[JacketFanInFL]

The wings fans were never....ever as large in number or especially as obnoxious as Pens fans are today.

I'd expect 8K minimum (Pens fans) for a playoff game here. Maybe more.

The Yankees are starting up soon and the Heat will be defending their title in the playoffs, so I'd wager that'll claim some of those folks.

 

[Fro]

played against them well except for 1 minute of losing focus that they capitalized on...was hoping to eek out a point as the 3rd started...but oh well...on to the next one

 

[Mayor Bee]

THIS!!!!!!!!!

Playing playoff road games in your own building would be a huge black eye and embarrassment for the entire organization.

Worse than St. Louis not selling out their playoff games last year? Worse than Vancouver having to go 50% off just to actually get a sellout in the first place?

 

[blahblah]

The wings fans were never....ever as large in number or especially as obnoxious as Pens fans are today.

I'd expect 8K minimum (Pens fans) for a playoff game here. Maybe more.

There isn't that large of a Pens base living in central ohio with season tickets.

 

[FANonymous]

Worse than St. Louis not selling out their playoff games last year? Worse than Vancouver having to go 50% off just to actually get a sellout in the first place?

Probably. This franchise doesn't command enough respect for the casual fan to sweep things like this under the rug. I doubt the average fan knows St. Louis didn't sell out their playoff games or that Vancouver had to deeply discount their tickets to obtain a sellout, but if the average fan tunes in to a CBJ playoff game and the Nationwide Arena crowd is heavily cheering the visitors? Yikes.

 

[Cash for Nash]

Worse than St. Louis not selling out their playoff games last year? Worse than Vancouver having to go 50% off just to actually get a sellout in the first place?

Yes....Much worse than the scenarios you described above.

 

[jackets4life]

Pens fans invading the place in the regular season is only embarassing for us. When the entire league is watching a PIT/CBJ playoff game and seeing just how many Pens fans there are, the cries of "Move Columbus to Quebec City" will grow exponentially louder.

 

[ca5150]

Pens fans invading the place in the regular season is only embarassing for us. When the entire league is watching a PIT/CBJ playoff game and seeing just how many Pens fans there are, the cries of "Move Columbus to Quebec City" will grow exponentially louder.

I don't think so, red wing fans were all over every building in their heyday