GDT: PO Game 6 Columbus vs. Pittsburgh | Monday April 28 7pm

[muleskinner2013]

wow. from a crap game to a helluva game. I kept thinking, the odds of overcoming a 4-0 deficit are tiny but the odds of scoring a goal in the final 4 minutes are decent- what to believe??

Columbus fans are the greatest.

The game:

All season I was high on Wiz and low JJ. These playoffs taught me a thing or two about that. JJ played great and Wiz really stunk the joint up. I'm in for seeing 21 next year but if we make the playoffs, he has GOT to play better. We need him being regular season Wiz. Defensive lapses ok, but stop being so hesitant to shoot the damn puck.

Still have to say, let's trade Cam if we can get s good return. He didn't give us much this series.

What a finish

I felt exactly like you on JJ and Wiz! Jack moved up a few spots in my book for the series he played after a reg season that was up and down. Wiz.... Loved his power play work most of the year but right now I could kick him to the curb. He didn't just have a bad playoff series, he had a horrible playoff series!

 

[Hugg]

I think, whatever some people think of it, the 5th Line thing is here to stay as well. I'll be surprised if it doesn't become a big part of the teams branding/marketing identity from here on. It gives the fanbase an identity and makes those who aren't hooked already feel like they're part of something beyond just rooting for a team. The organization was smart to latch onto it.

 

[Mayor Bee]

Mark ‏@RedditCBJ 37m

Just wanted to point out that Jenner, in his first season, has more playoff goals than Rick Nash does in his career. #CBJ

(I get way too much mileage out of this .gif, but it fits perfectly)

 

[Robert]

I was there:

For CBJ fans... horrible game, one of the worst I've seen all season... Pitt dominated all but 8 minutes of the last period.

Richards better ***** to JD and Kek about the lack of defensive skill because that is the real reason the Jackets lost tonight... crap game folks, very close to being embarrassing!!!!!!!!

 

[Mayor Bee]

When Vince Lombardi took over the Green Bay Packers in 1959, they'd been dismal for a little over a decade. They hadn't had a winning record in 12 years, and had only hit .500 twice in that span.

That first year, the Packers started off 3-0, then lost 5 straight before rebounding to finish at 7-5, just two games out of the division title. They matured quickly from a team unsure of itself and its leader, one that collapsed at the first sign of adversity, into one that went toe-to-toe with the NFL's best.

The second year (1960), the Packers went 8-4 and won the division on the basis of brutally tough football. The passing game was disjointed, but the defense and running game were stout. These weren't the same Packers; they fought every down like it was war. By winning the division, the team would play the 10-2 Philadelphia Eagles for the NFL title.

Green Bay recovered two quick turnovers, but only managed a field goal out of it. They had a 6-0 lead when Philadelphia surged downfield quickly and scored a touchdown, then followed that with another quick strike that resulted in a field goal and a 10-6 lead. Green Bay fought back, but Philadelphia answered right back to a 17-13 lead. A last-minute Packers drive fell just short of the goal line as time expired.

In the locker room after the game, Lombardi assembled his team and said, "Perhaps you didn't realize you could have won this game. But I think there's no doubt in your minds now. And that's why you will win it all next year. This will never happen again. You will never lose another championship."

That's sort of what we saw in this series. It's a young and playoff-inexperienced team that went toe-to-toe with a superior team, but went through spurts of seeming to disbelieve that they were actually doing it and could sustain it. Columbus carried play for the majority of Game 4, but needed that long comeback only because of a few minutes early on that created the huge deficit. Columbus carried the pace and dictated the flow of the game for a lot of this series, but fell short.

It's part of the growing process. Just a break here or there could have resulted in a CBJ sweep of Pittsburgh, or it could have resulted in being swept. But those crippling moments of starry-eyed play won't be there next year. That's what the real takeaway from this will be from an on-ice perspective.

 

[Hugg]

All I took away from that is that you think Todd Richards is the Vince Lombardi of hockey. That's high praise.


But seriously, good post.

 

[nhldiedinthe90s*]

That's sort of what we saw in this series. It's a young and playoff-inexperienced team that went toe-to-toe with a superior team,

Not what I saw. If Fleury didn't go all Fluery they'd have lost in 5 instead of 6.

We lost to a team that looked flat-out horrendous for several games, with fans and local media on the verge of rooting against them so the coach will get fired, with a spastic goalie who handed us a game on a silver platter to boot.

Our former vezna winner let in 3 goals on 3 shots at one point, playing very much meh on the whole. Our extremely expensive offensive Dman doesn't seem capable of playing even passable playoff caliber hockey.

I'm with ya on the young talent, but just about everyone in the league thinks they have lots of young talent who will burst onto the scene "next year," and then next year they'll say the same.

I think you've gotta reach pretty hard to find a way to say we truly have one of the brighter futures as a franchise. Half the teams make the playoffs, we were part of that half (in the weakest conference). We lost to a team who at no point looked like they can compete with the upper echelon teams in either conference.

We have very weak depth defensively. Toots is paid a lot of money and is getting old.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

So glad that nobody bought my ticket on stubhub.

Last night was my 15th game at NWA this past season and it was the first time that I'd seen the Jackets get dominated. They were out of sync badly offensively and were being completely outskated by a much quicker Penguins squad. The game reminded me of a few times in 2011-12 that I saw the Blackhawks just totally dismantle patently inferior CBJ squads.

When Dubinski and Wiz took really bad penalties in the 3rd, I was about to make the 90 mile drive home a bit early. I reconsidered and thought that I'd at least stay to applaud the guys on a season well played. I almost saw one of the greatest comebacks in NHL history. When the Jackets scored their 3rd goal of their near comeback , I really thought that they'd get the 4th. Not to be, but the excitement of the last 10 minutes more than compensated for the emptiness of the first 50.

Watching this team almost completely come back from the 4 goal deficit was a microcosm of what this team has accomplished since the 2011-12 season. From watching the prima donna Jeff Carter half a** it (make that quarter) and give a virtual finger to the organization and entire city, to now watching a gritty group of guys with a never-say-die attitude has been a wonder to behold. The 2012-13 and 2013-14 Columbus Blue Jackets have allowed a fading hockey market to be reborn.

Would have been nice for Bob to have played a bit better and Wiz to not have had such a dreadful performance, but at the end of the day, if it weren't for the very good regular season performances of these two guys, this team would probably not have been in the playoffs.

Anyway, an almost great,great night. An exceptional overall season for the franchise!!! CBJ#CBJ#

 

[blahblah]

I really could see a trade of Tuts in the off season. He has clearly lost a step and is no longer the reliable, steadying influence he once was. Trade him while he has value and before the other teams catch on that he is in decline.

Yes, he's clearly the same as he's always been. Which is to say fans always think he's lost something, but he makes the same mistakes he always has. He's still that 3/4 that people think is/should be higher up until he gets exposed and then we berate him.

He made a questionable decision last night; but he was still an even player with a couple of points in 4 games. I saw nothing to suggest his game has lessened.

He hasn't changed. I don't see any issue with his contract until maybe the last year.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

I think you've gotta reach pretty hard to find a way to say we truly have one of the brighter futures as a franchise.

I think you may be the only person on the planet that thinks that.

 

[jackets4life]

We have very weak depth defensively. Toots is paid a lot of money and is getting old.

You're kidding, right? We have at least 3 guys that can be expendable this offseason because our defensive corps has so much depth. Dalton Prout is ready for a full time role with this team. From what I saw this season, I fully believe Cody Goloubef is as well. Why not use Tim Erixon, he's been very patient and can be a solid blueliner for us.

Then for a few years down the road we have Mike Reilly and Dillon Heatherington waiting in the wings.

IMO, out are Schultz, Nikitin and in are two of Prout/Cody/Erixon. Will be some healthy competition in camp. We will be a younger team on the back end still, but I think you have to like the way the D should look for next season.

 

[BF3]

I think, whatever some people think of it, the 5th Line thing is here to stay as well. I'll be surprised if it doesn't become a big part of the teams branding/marketing identity from here on. It gives the fanbase an identity and makes those who aren't hooked already feel like they're part of something beyond just rooting for a team. The organization was smart to latch onto it.

Glad it wasn't the 7th man. The Xth man has been played to death. At least the 5th line is hockey specific and unique.

Hate white t-shirts giveaways at sporting events though, especially since the road team wears white in the NHL.

 

[Fro]

really proud to be a fan of this team...can't wait til September already...

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Not quite ready for a post season assessment or offseason wish list. A lengthy post-game/post-series follows:

I had a bad feeling about last night's game. I knew CBJ was capable of winning but just didn't think they would. And I told my buddy that how they lost, if they did, would go a long way toward writing the story of this team's level of accomplishment. Needless to say, I felt we were headed for a "well boys you hung with 'em but when they set their minds to it..." narrative, which I was going to hate. But after a few glorious minutes, hell, we even believed they could tie that thing up. Made the Pens shake in their boots a little. And so, despite the fact CBJ was outplayed for much of the game, the narrative changes.

And yet I'll be damned if I wasn't disappointed no miracle came. Would have been incredible. I watched the fellows on the bench after the first goal and then even moreso after the second goal, they were yapping at each other and bumping gloves an you could see in their eyes that they had set out to do something.

Anyway, that's why I'm bummed. These players will do that to you as a fan. And I wish they could have hung on this season a little longer. (Or a lot longer... does anyone think a series with NY or Philly wouldn't have been a long one?) I watched HCTR come off the ice after the handshakes and he slowed down and looked up and around the building a bit. I got the sense he wasn't quite ready to be done with it either.

Meh, rambling. Out.

 

[skimp]

Her companion, Ross Wylie, admitted he was “disappointed,†but added, “I haven’t yelled this hard since a Buckeyes game.â€

http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2014/04/29/fight-to-the-finish.html

#WeAreThe5thLine

Great almost-comeback. I hope next season's team can keep the resolve without constantly putting themselves in situations in which they need to be so resolved.

 

[IHeartZherdev*]

I think, whatever some people think of it, the 5th Line thing is here to stay as well. I'll be surprised if it doesn't become a big part of the teams branding/marketing identity from here on. It gives the fanbase an identity and makes those who aren't hooked already feel like they're part of something beyond just rooting for a team. The organization was smart to latch onto it.

Let's hope not. It's embarrassing. Brutal, brutal loss - I just can't get over the fact that the team didn't show up and was basically garbage the first 40 minutes of a home, elimination playoff game.

The only brightside I can see is that from what I'm seeing on these boards, people are finally seeing Tyutin for the detriment he is to the team.

 

[LetsGOJackets!!]

My .02

Thanks to the team for a very invigorating season, after 13 seasons of meh, it was nice to see a team that really wanted to win & would do anything to do so.

I am excited for the future. Not specifically because of our youth though that is a big factor, but because of our Mgmt team. JD & JK did some incredible work for St. Louis, I look at the Blues and see a model that is going to be very good now & going forward. One thing that I have questioned is whether JD & JK would have traded for Ryan Miller. That was a huge decision, & one that paid off - would they have done it? Will they make a similar move for Columbus (not in goal per se - but maybe a star right wing?)

I realize Richards may not be part of this equation long term. He isn't Mgmt's guy but this season he did well with what he was given. I personally think he earned next season but we shall see.

Thank you Jackets!!

 

[Cash for Nash]

Glad it wasn't the 7th man. The Xth man has been played to death. At least the 5th line is hockey specific and unique.

Hate white t-shirts giveaways at sporting events though, especially since the road team wears white in the NHL.

Agreed. The concept was cool but a navy blue tshirt with just a 5 on it would have been better. Just a small complaint on another great atmosphere.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Dark shirts don't work at NWA. Because the seats are blue, any dark color just blends and you can't tell when anyone wears anything CBJ related unless it's white.

 

[Kev22]

I haven't formulated all my thoughts on last night yet. I feel privileged to have been to all three home games in this series. The crowds were UNREAL. This city is so starved to latch themselves onto the Jackets. That's what I don't think other fanbases realize. It's sort of a Field of Dreams thing to me. If the Jackets build it, the fans will come. Corny I know, but it is very true. If the Jackets become regular visitors to the playoffs, they'll be playing to capacity every night.

IMO, I think that the core you move forward with is Jenner, Johansen, Calvert, Johnson, Dubinsky, Murray, Horton, Foligno, Anisimov, Savard, Letestu and MacKenzie.

The offseason will be interesting. We desperately need more skill that fits our style of play and we need to sort out our defensive liabilities (what do you do with Wisniewski?). That's a discussion for another time.

While I enjoyed what I saw this year, I'm left wanting more. I hope this club can harness the energy and replicate their play from the 15th game on to drive themselves to be a better club next season and prove that this playoff series was not an aberration.

 

[theD86]

I'm sort of waiting to exhale. It's going to be weird not turing the Jackets on.

But, man alive if you can't be excited for next season then walk away now.

 

[NotWendell]

Let's hope not. It's embarrassing.

It's not one bit embarrassing.

 

[WashedUp]

Missing it like crazy already! However....If the boys had played the first 50 minutes anywhere close to the way they played the last 10 we'd be talking about game seven right now.

As for the great crowds, yes they were awesome, but where were they during the regular season? Hopefully they have caught the fever and are reserving their seat packages right now. It would be awesome to recreate the "sold out atmosphere" we had in season two! But it would be even better. They were still novelty crowds back then, now it's people wanting a winner and are much more vocal!

Lastly, heard JD on the radio yesterday that this team still needs more talent and that will be addressed this summer! Curious as to what he/they have in mind!

 

[theD86]

To me the Jackets scoring 3 goals in 5 minutes should send a clear message to the rest of the league.

This team is going to be fun to watch grow into a playoff power.

 

[Fro]

here come the injuries....wiz has rib cartalidge issues, all of Umby's pains, Murray with a foot fracture...