Jackets train derails

The Jackets fell last night to the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2. It was a game that was dominated by the 'hawks and a game in which in believe or it not, the Jackets still had a chance to salvage some points as they actually held the lead during the early stages of the 3rd.

Lit em up

The only team that lit anything up last night was the Chicago Blackhawks. Credit to them for playing a careful game early - the controlled the play, got on the board first and then once Columbus crept back into in the 3rd they really tool their play to another level and finished off the Jackets. This was a game they deserved the 2 points in - they definitely wanted it more.

Dim the light

There was that 3rd period two goal outburst by Rusty Klesla and Nik Zherdev that saw the Jackets get back into it which was a slight positive..

Last year this kind of game would have been an automatic shutout for the Jackets...so at least they did manage to score...they have yet to be shutout this season.

There also was the nice fight that Glencross had and the PK again did not give up any goals...so some other positives -- but really that was about it.

Busted Bulbs

Last night was clearly not the Jackets night. They were outshot 35-26, were a collective -15, and were outhit 12 to 15. They couldn't match the 'hawks' energy, couldn't get their PP cranking and the entire team just looked out of sync.

Norrena played well early as the Jackets were badly out shot through the first two but then after the Jackets took a quick lead in the 3rd he didn't make the saves needed to keep the team in this one. Really there was only one softy he let in while the others he had no chance due to defensive breakdowns.

I don't remember seeing this team give up so many 3 v 2 chances combined this year as they did last night. Some credit goes to the Blackhawks run and gun offense but I think alot of the reason falls on the Jackets team defense for chasing the play to much, committing turnovers in bad areas of the ice and not playing as 5 man units in all 3 zones.

To many no-shows on offense last night to even single out any player. Really the whole team didn't come ready to battle -- this was a team loss.

So the Jackets sit at 8-4-2 on the season. They aren't gonna win every game and there will be nights like last night. The key of course is how they respond to a loss...how quickly they regain their "mojo". They won't have to wait long to find out as they take on the NHL's second best team the Detroit Red Wings in Detroit tomorrow night. If they want a measuring stick.....they've got it tomorrow.

The good news is that this team has rebounded well thus far this season off of losses so at the very least I expect a to see a much different effort tomorrow night.

-LTL