GDT: Game 78: Columbus vs. New York Islanders | 4/6 6PM EDT

[Double-Shift Lasse]

My one observation from last night that I just kept coming back to is RJ Umberger is done in Columbus. He was horrible last night and took a couple of big hits too. He has not done himself any favors since he returned to the lineup. That said, he will be important if we make the playoffs. He's played well in the past when the lights are the brightest. Maybe he saves himself, but I really think he's trending toward a compliance buyout.

Did you copy this post from 2011? 2012?

 

[Kev22]

You asked for consistency.

 

[Nordique]

Thought there were a couple of ugly stretches for the Jackets in this one, but most importantly, they took care of business.

Five points to clinch, but realistically, three or four gets us in. I don't see New Jersey or Toronto running either of their schedules down the stretch. Things are really looking good right now!

Yeah, not the best looking game, but you'll have that. Good win, strong performance by Bobrovsky. Winning 2 more would be a virtual clinch, lets win the next 2 and get that behind us and get our sites locked in on 3rd in the Metro.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

You asked for consistency.

My apparent crusade for consistency is widely misinterpreted, and I think I know whose fault that is.

 

[blahblah]

Congrats on making the playoffs guys. Really have been impressed by the Blue Jackets this year.

lol, thanks for the jinx.

If you've been impressed by this group, you would have been really impressed by last years group.

There is just something missing right now. That second period last night wouldn't have happened, or been far less pronounced, down the stretch last season.

We played fairly well in the neutral and offensive zones last night. However the defensive zone is still a bit of a disaster this late in the season (I'm looking at you Savard and Wiz for last night - but there were more than just you two). Our best hope is just to keep it out of our zone.

If we don't correct these issues, that seems unlikely this late in the season, we're looking more like an easy first round out than this team that people are fearful of drawing in the first round. If I were Boston or the Pens I would be far more concerned with a Detroit draw.

 

[Fro]

Jack Skille has been recalled!

 

[Columbus Mike]

lol, thanks for the jinx.

If you've been impressed by this group, you would have been really impressed by last years group.

There is just something missing right now. That second period last night wouldn't have happened, or been far less pronounced, down the stretch last season.

We played fairly well in the neutral and offensive zones last night. However the defensive zone is still a bit of a disaster this late in the season (I'm looking at you Savard and Wiz for last night - but there were more than just you two). Our best hope is just to keep it out of our zone.

If we don't correct these issues, that seems unlikely this late in the season, we're looking more like an easy first round out than this team that people are fearful of drawing in the first round. If I were Boston or the Pens I would be far more concerned with a Detroit draw.

I think if we had made the playoffs last year, we would have been competitive with anyone, and could have won just about any series other than Chicago in the west. This year doesn't have that feel. We are definitely not hitting on all cylinders like we were a year ago.

 

[Nordique]

I think if we had made the playoffs last year, we would have been competitive with anyone, and could have won just about any series other than Chicago in the west. This year doesn't have that feel. We are definitely not hitting on all cylinders like we were a year ago.

We've had our moments this season where we looked as good as we ever have. The 12-5-1 run from Jan 1st to the Olympic break was one such period, but since the Olympics we've been inconsistent.

One thing I will say, when Bob puts the team on this back for a few games, we begin playing with a very high level of confidence. This often triggers a strong run of games.

 

[Crede777]

I am hesitant to count on Bob too much. He has been atrocious this season when on the 2nd game of a back to back. I would consider starting Mcelhinney once, maybe even twice in our remaining 4 games.

Put him in Tues. against Phoenix, have McElhinney go against Dallas, put Bob back in against Florida, then we'll see against Tampa.

That isn't to discount his importance or performances against Philly and last night, just an observation that he doesn't fare well when asked to play two days in a row.

 

[Nordique]

I am hesitant to count on Bob too much. He has been atrocious this season when on the 2nd game of a back to back. I would consider starting Mcelhinney once, maybe even twice in our remaining 4 games.

Put him in Tues. against Phoenix, have McElhinney go against Dallas, put Bob back in against Florida, then we'll see against Tampa.

That isn't to discount his importance or performances against Philly and last night, just an observation that he doesn't fare well when asked to play two days in a row.

I like that idea. We can't ride him 4 games in 5 days.

 

[Samkow]

Bob starts every game until we make the playoffs. Maybe McBackup starts the Florida game. I don't wanna take an unnecessary risk.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Bob starts every game until we make the playoffs. Maybe McBackup starts the Florida game. I don't wanna take an unnecessary risk.

This.

 

[JKinCLE]

Bob starts every game until we make the playoffs. Maybe McBackup starts the Florida game. I don't wanna take an unnecessary risk.

This. Once/If we clinch, I wouldn't mind seeing C-Mac play the final game against Florida.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

My buddy suggested CMac come out for the third period yesterday. I saw where he was coming from, but karma has not been the Jackets' friend.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

If we win these last two games and Jersey loses one, we clinch. We can then give CMac the final two starts IMO if that happens. But that's the best case scenario. As others said, when we clinch bob can have a rest but not until that happens if it ever does

 

[Crede777]

Bob starts every game until we make the playoffs. Maybe McBackup starts the Florida game. I don't wanna take an unnecessary risk.

The unnecessary risk would be playing Bob in consecutive back to backs. Especially given how bad he has been this season in back to backs. I am not talking about how we should rest Bob for the playoffs, I am talking about how playing Bob in 3 or 4 games would result in disaster.

I think McElhinney actually gives us a better chance to win in those situations.

 

[Samkow]

The unnecessary risk would be playing Bob in consecutive back to backs. Especially given how bad he has been this season in back to backs. I am not talking about how we should rest Bob for the playoffs, I am talking about how playing Bob in 3 or 4 games would result in disaster.

I think McElhinney actually gives us a better chance to win in those situations.

This is up there with the "Play JJ at forward" idea in terms of awfulness. The facts don't support you. At all.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/player/splits/_/id/5571/sergei-bobrovsky

By Days Rest GP GS TOI/G W L OTL GA GAA SA SV SV% SO
0 Days Rest 7 7 61:27 4 3 0 17 2.37 232 215 .927 0
1 Days Rest 26 26 55:01 12 11 2 63 2.64 744 681 .915 3
2 Days Rest 12 12 58:32 8 2 2 23 1.96 333 310 .931 1
3+ Days Rest 9 9 54:46 5 3 1 18 2.19 259 241 .931 1

It's not ideal but it's the best solution possible.

 

[Crede777]

I guess it could be also the team in front of him, but I really hope Richards does the smart move and doesn't play Bob 4 games in 5 nights. I maintain that the best solution is to rotate goalies in this situation.

Guess we'll just have to see what happens.

 

[Jyrki]

I think if we had made the playoffs last year, we would have been competitive with anyone, and could have won just about any series other than Chicago in the west. This year doesn't have that feel. We are definitely not hitting on all cylinders like we were a year ago.

we lack SWAGGER

 

[db2011]

we lack SWAGGER

exceptional GIF