Mixed bag

Coming off an emotional 5-3 over the Predators on Friday night the Columbus Blue Jackets followed it up with an absolute stinker last night in Nashville losing ugly 6-3.

Lets take a good at the good and bad from both games.

STOPLIGHT GAME(S) REVIEW

GREEN

* The Jackets combined for 8 goals on the weekend versus a stingy Nashville defense. Kristian Huselius led all Jackets with 4 points. Nash notched 3 goals. Modin, Methot and Chimera each notched 2 points.

* Was nice to see Nash get it going with his 3 goals. The biggest bright spot offensively is the chemistry he's finding with Huselius. I'm sure he and the Jackets would like him to covert more on his breakaway chances but the fact that he's getting so many is a major plus.

* Finally got a win in regulation against Nashville.

* Was great to see Methot get his first NHL goal last night. I thought he was our best defensemen in that game.

* Filatov notching his first NHL goal in his first NHL game.

* Tootoo was a non-factor. He went a collective -2 with no points. The Jackets, for the most part, did not allow him to get in their heads and in fact it was Tootoo taking the penalties.

* Excellent tribute to John H. put on by the Jackets game day staff! It was a great way to open the season.

* Fantastic turnout at the Garage Bar. Lots of familiar faces and bar did an excellent job accommodating everyone (love that cornhole game!).

YELLOW

* The rookies were on at home and off on the road. This isn't a surprise as its just that much harder to play on the road. Brass, Voracek and Filatov combined for 3 points and and even +/- on Friday. Last night they didn't have any points among them and were a collective -3.

* Umberger notched a point but he's doing a lot of the dirty work on the Nash line and has done a terrific job screening opposing goaltenders. Would be nice to see him rewarded with a goal.

* I thought Modin looked much better in both games. He's another guy who could use a goal.

* The PP was on fire Friday notching two goals including a big time timely score in the 3rd period. Last night not so much as it went 0-4.

* The PK didn't allow a goal in either game.

* I've really like Dorsett's game. He hasn't gotten on the scoreboard but he's in there mixing it up every shift.

* The Jackets went 51.5% on faceoffs over both contests. They just don't seem to be winning the big defensive and offensive zone draws when they really need them.

* Good crowd on opening night but unfortunately they fell a few hundred short of a sell out which was disappointing.

* They did a fairly decent job staying out of the box. They also didn't allow any 2-men down situations against.

RED

* Team defense is an absolute train wreck right now. What once was a major strength of this team has quickly deteriorated into mediocrity. Through 5 games last season the Jackets allowed just 9 goals. Through 5 games this season the Jackets have allowed a whopping 21 goals. Unacceptable and you won't win many games allowing that kind of number.

* A HUGE reason for that is the play of both Pascal Leclaire and Fredrik Norrena. They have both been horrendous. They haven't been making the saves they should and have in fact, been the direct cause of multiple goals against due to mental mistakes -- especially playing the puck. They absolutely must be better.

* The overall play in the 2nd game wasn't good in any area. A telling sign is that the team generated just 9 hits. You can't sleep walk through a Nashville game and expect to win. As Nash stated it the paper this morning this team has to play the same way each and every night - no excuses.

* The Jackets have the most back to backs in the league and if Phoenix and last night's game are any indication how they will do in the 2nd game then it could be a long year.

* Leclaire trying to stop a puck with his hand? Got to be smarter than that.

* Klesla was a -4 last night. Tyutin a -3. At what point do you try different pairings?

* The Jackets again lose on the road. That bring their record to 1-3. Not exactly the kind of start on the road that gets a team into the playoffs.

* While it may make the game most exciting (assuming the Jackets come out on the right side of it), they have got to stop blowing these leads. A trend that started in the preseason and continues.

3 BRIGHT LIGHTS ON THE NIGHT(S)

1. Jackets got their first win in regulation against Nashville since 2006.

2. Nash and Huselius showing some early chemistry.

3. Frist NHL goals from Methot and Filatov.

The Jackets had a real chance here to gather some momentum and things looked great in Columbus until they completely blew up the following night.

Next up for the 2-3 Jackets are the 3-2 Canucks on Tuesday night. The Canucks are playing pretty good hockey and of course have Luongo to clean up any messes. Things don't get any easier come Tuesday and the Jackets have a lot of work to do between now and then to get their game shored up, especially defensively and between the pipes.

-LTL