Jackets walk away dissapointed

At one point the Jackets outshot the San Jose Sharks 22-5 -- and that was after two period. Yet the scoreboard read 1-0 Sharks.

That was the kind of night it was for the Jackets. Jason Chimera two breakaways but nothin. Rick Nash a penalty shot, losing control of the puck and nothin. Nik Zherdev a point blank shot - nothin.

Finally...in the 3rd period the Jackets broke through as Jason Chimera tipped one home off a great cross ice feed from Michael Peca.

Unfortunately it wasn't enough as the Sharks converted on PP in OT to steal the the other point.

Nabokov. Argurably had the best performance by an opposing goaltender this season against the Jackets. This guy was a brick wall. Damn him.

Lit it up

Seriously. I don't think the Jackets could play a better game other than score more. They absolutely dominated the first two periods. Possibly the best two road periods I've ever seen this team play. The Sharks turned the heat up a bit, especially the last 5 minutes, but overall it was a well played road game but the good guys.

Jason Chimera. Man has this guy losened up out there. He was a force again last night. Still he needs a new breakaway move -- just pick a corner next time Chimera. When he's got to much time to think it hurts him. He made up for his lack of breakaway finish but tipping the Michael Peca pass home. Chimera also had a fight (although he didn't fare well in it but he gets points for trying to spark the team).

Jody Shelley. Wouldn't you know it. Shelley collects his first assist of the year on his first shift against the Jackets and it wasn't flukey either. So weird seeing him out there in another sweater though. Looked like he gave Nik Zherdev an earfull a time or two as well. He played well though -- looked better than I've ever seen him this year go figure.

Dim the light

I thought Nash had another good game. He was physical again, driving the net, excellent on the PK. Maybe it was the bronchitis that was slowing him down. If only he could have scored on that penalty shot...if only.

Big four. Foote, Hejda, Klesla, Hainsey. All logged huge minutes and shutdown the Sharks key players for 60 minutes. Unfortunately if you take a penalty in OT that opens up a whole lot of space for guys like Joe Thornton and he made them pay. Still this group played excellent.

Jackets solid in the face off circle again winning 56% of their faceoffs.

Norrena played well - especially late in the 3rd when the Sharks turned up the heat and the Jackets again took a late penalty.

Busted bulbs

The Jackets have got to figure out how to score more. I know Nabokov was hot...but 3 breakaways and no goals? Can't happen. This game was the Jackets...they dominated but their offense stalled once again. I can only hope Tarnstrom can help in this area.

Penalties. They Jackets are shooting themselves in this area. The second game in a row they took a late penalty...and then Manny Malhotra with a bad shift change put Dan Fritsche in a bad position and was forced to take a penalty in OT.

Derrick Brassard only 4 minutes of ice time? I know they want him to get experience but wouldn't it be more beneficial to let him get tons of minutes in Syracuse other than ride the pine for 4 minutes a game?

3 bright lights on the night

1. Jackets road play - they dominated 2 out of 3 periods only to come up short offensively

2. Jason Chimera - 3rd goal in as many games, was flying out there and also had a fight

3. Jody Shelley - played really well and had an assist - strange though seeing him in a different uni

As Hitch said, the Jackets let this one get away plain and simple. The did collect 3 out of 4 points on the road but to me this was one of the more dissapointing losses of the season. To see them play this well and not win, well it sucks and the players have to frustrated.

Time to put this behind them though and focus on LA tomorrow. The Jackets have lost their past 3 at home. To stay in this race they must find that winning forumla in their own barn again. Can't lay an egg against one of the worst teams in LA.

-LTL