Series Discussion: Columbus (3) vs Pittsburgh (2)

EdwardG

Let's Dance!
Mar 17, 2009
1,089
170
Columbus
We aren't likely to win this series. I think most level headed CBJ fans would agree to this. Does it means we won't or can't win the series? No, that's why you play the games.

The score read 3-1 but we played fine. Dominated the first, but we need more prime chances (Pens D really locked us out of the middle. Kudos to them. But we can't let that happen again) and to convert on those chances. When the Pens make a push, or even score a goal, we can't fold up like a lawn chair for a few minutes like we did last night, or they will keep coming and keep scoring. That was concerning. Bob has to be better, he should have stopped two of the three goals. Torts made an error on the bottom pair, but that didn't cost us the game. The series isn't over by any means, its not an encouraging moment of course, but we can still push it to 6 or 7. We need more players other than Werenski and Calvert to show up.

Mostly agree with this assessment, especially the folding like a lawn chair. I finally realized last year that this is/was the key to the Cavs (or anyone else) beating Golden State. You must -- MUST! -- withstand runs and maintain consistent effort. They are too good and runs ARE going to happen where they will hit everything they throw up. Keep playing, keep pushing, be as efficient as possible. They want you to feel like you're in an avalanche during these runs, because when you do and you let down the avalanche will come... and before you know it you're 20 down and it's all over. If you keep pushing and pushing and will not be denied, that puts a ton of pressure on THEM. This is what the Jackets need to do. A relentless 60 minutes.

I'll tell you what, though, in addition: Bob either has to get hot or the forwards have to start being effective. This crappy, low danger offense and power play is making things tough. But still, even if the offense sucks the rest of the year I think that if the Jackets can learn to play with steady, relentless pressure instead of having lulls it could be enough to win the series.
 
Last edited:

major major

Registered User
Feb 18, 2013
14,598
1,669
I'm not as surprised by the D decision. I'm not sure if folks get how much of an issue the Pens speed is here. Whoever the Jackets go with is going to be a big step down from the top 4, I can see the rationale that we should at least put guys out there who won't get walked.

For some reason people act like Nuti is the fast D and Harry is the slow guy. Puckmoving, sure. But without the puck Harry is faster. His back skating is a lot better. How many times have you seen him walked v Nuti walked? And Nuti isn't allowed anywhere near the PK, so I'm not sure how replacing Harry with him would fix anything there.

Quincey I'm inclined to put in for the PK, but 5 on 5 Carlsson and Harry are the best defenders.
 

JohnnyJacket13

(formerly PD9)
Sponsor
Jan 14, 2015
4,870
2,561
Columbus
I'm not as surprised by the D decision. I'm not sure if folks get how much of an issue the Pens speed is here. Whoever the Jackets go with is going to be a big step down from the top 4, I can see the rationale that we should at least put guys out there who won't get walked.

For some reason people act like Nuti is the fast D and Harry is the slow guy. Puckmoving, sure. But without the puck Harry is faster. His back skating is a lot better. How many times have you seen him walked v Nuti walked? And Nuti isn't allowed anywhere near the PK, so I'm not sure how replacing Harry with him would fix anything there.

Quincey I'm inclined to put in for the PK, but 5 on 5 Carlsson and Harry are the best defenders.

I'll second all of this. Have never been impressed by Nuti's foot speed.
 

CBJx614

HFBoards Sponsor
Sponsor
May 25, 2012
16,320
8,324
C-137
While Murray never lit the league on fire in the points category, he definitely stabilized the blue line. Meaning he provided depth and allowed whoever he played with to be more aggressive. Without him the rookies on the 3rd pair are fish out of water. I can only imagine what he could do with Carlsson.
 

major major

Registered User
Feb 18, 2013
14,598
1,669
I'd much prefer to have Murray on the PK.

But it's no fun thinking about what Murray would be like defending the Pens in open ice if Murray is skating as poorly as he was for much of the year.
 

Double-Shift Lasse

Just post better
Dec 22, 2004
34,629
15,867
Exurban Cbus
Sits all year and now Harrington is one of our better defenders, lol yeah right

Pairing priorities, injuries and current level of play all factor into the decision, though. It's not like these things are being done in a vacuum.

All of the guys we're talking about for the third pair are guys who bring certain things tom the table and who also have certain flaws. (Otherwise, they probably wouldn't be third-pair guys.)
 

JacketsDavid

Registered User
Jan 11, 2013
2,665
910
I'll tell you what, though, in addition: Bob either has to get hot or the forwards have to start being effective. This crappy, low danger offense and power play is making things tough.

Bingo.

If we win the series the guy who wins it is Bob. He needs to play out of his mind, like he played at times during regular season.

Lots of ways for us to lose the series - not scoring enough, defensive lulls, Bob not being sharp. But short of the PP resurrecting itself from a 40 game slumber Bob has to carry the team.
 

major major

Registered User
Feb 18, 2013
14,598
1,669
Sits all year and now Harrington is one of our better defenders, lol yeah right

Is it that hard to imagine that a guy can gradually earn more and more of the coaches trust? He played 22 games down the stretch, btw.

I'm not happy that he's our guy on the PK - not nearly enough experience there. But yes, 5 on 5 he's a better defensive option than the other depth D.
 

major major

Registered User
Feb 18, 2013
14,598
1,669
This is false. Nuti is better.

What are the defensive abilities that he has that Harrington doesn't? I'm not saying there isn't anything but I'd really like to hear it.

Harrington is not ideal for the PK because he's barely played on it, only 7 minutes this year. Well Nuti has played a shift and a half all year, and got scored on.

Nuti is also playing a classic sheltered role, in that coaches made sure to put him out there in easier situations. You can see this in his low 25% dzone start rate. As you can imagine, on the road against the Pens, he can't be properly sheltered. They can put some fast guys out there against him and we've got big problems. That is clearly what the coaches are imagining, and that's why they put out there the two guys who handle speed the best. Harry is bigger, faster, and stronger - and that's clearly the priority for the coaches. (You might be interested to know that he managed a +3 despite tough zone starts) Maybe his lack of puck skills will cause him to get benched against other clubs, but for now, the coaches just want someone who can play 8 minutes and not get burned.
 

EdwardG

Let's Dance!
Mar 17, 2009
1,089
170
Columbus
I am just baffled by this offense. Every forward has been flat out bad for what seems like months, minus small stretches for guys like Bjork. Gagner and Hartnell have provided almost no secondary scoring in 2017 either. The CBJ forwards aren't really "stars" but they are proven, competent forwards... and yet every one of them has been hot garbage. What we're seeing in this series is nothing new from the offense... Same thing we've seen most of 2017... just a continuation of it.

And that's without mentioning the power play. :help:
 
Last edited:

CBJWerenski8

Rest in Peace Johnny
Jun 13, 2009
43,640
26,674
th
 

EdwardG

Let's Dance!
Mar 17, 2009
1,089
170
Columbus
I must be missing the "great goaltending" by MAF. He's been competent but where are all these incredible stops? Jackets just aren't generating much danger.
 

DJA

over the horizon radar
Sponsor
Apr 17, 2002
21,064
5,896
Beyond the Infinite
CBJ would be world champs if the goal was shooting at a target on the goalie's chest, or on the tip of a d-man's skate.
 

major major

Registered User
Feb 18, 2013
14,598
1,669
They've dominated 2 straight games.

This game was all Jackets. First game the Jackets only got the half of it and didn't get a lot of chances. Tonight the Jackets had the Pens on the ropes - and it wasn't like Fleury was that great - he was flopping all over the place and pucks were hitting him or buzzing just wide.

The "investments" (the hits) are paying off as the Pens D slows down. They were already much worse this game and that should continue.

Going to home ice the Jackets should smell the blood in the water.
 

EdwardG

Let's Dance!
Mar 17, 2009
1,089
170
Columbus
CBJ would be world champs if the goal was shooting at a target on the goalie's chest, or on the tip of a d-man's skate.

Or if it was hitting the back board instead of the net, or if blind passes counted as goals.

The "investments" (the hits) are paying off as the Pens D slows down. They were already much worse this game and that should continue. Going to home ice the Jackets should smell the blood in the water.

I disagree but would be happy come Wed to admit you were right.
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad