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Is the Columbus Blue Jackets Third Defensive Pair to Blame for Game One Loss?

By Tony Mazziotti

Apr 12, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Gabriel Carlsson (53) handles the puck against Pittsburgh Penguins center Jake Guentzel (59) during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Gabriel Carlsson (53) handles the puck against Pittsburgh Penguins center Jake Guentzel (59) during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Gabriel Carlsson and Scott Harrington played a combined total of 24 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets this regular season. They were still the chosen ones as the third defensive pairing for game one.

The Pittsburgh Penguins took down the Columbus Blue Jackets in game one of the opening round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs by a score of 3-1. Gabriel Carlsson had a -1 rating while Scott Harrington was even, but that doesn’t tell the story of Pittsburgh’s last two goals.

Penguins sniper Phil Kessel‘s poise with the puck was evident on the Penguins power play in the 2nd period. At that point, Harrington decided to kneel down to defend which gave Kessel plenty of room to make a play. If he hadn’t scored on the ensuing shot,  Harrington’s decision wouldn’t even have mattered, but Kessel converted on the opportunity.

Pittsburgh’s third goal of the game was even worse as the Jackets quit defending on the dump in. Carlsson was even in front of the net for this goal. That really wasn’t a good look for him. Nick Bonino walked right through him to tap in a rebound.

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Sure, some speculate that the Jackets thought this was icing but the refs never blew the whistle. That goal should never be scored during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Regardless if Carlsson is playing his first or 100th career playoff game, that can’t happen.

All in all, credit Pittsburgh for capitalizing on their chances. Nothing will change the fact that the Columbus Blue Jackets scored only one goal. Even with Sergei Bobrovsky in net, it’s not easy to win with only one tally on the board.

Every team has a third defensive pair and the Jackets shouldn’t use this as an excuse moving forward. On the plus side, the last two goals scored by Pittsburgh seem to be correctable.

However, if the final pairing continues to make noticeable mistakes, John Tortorella should explore new options. The young talent Markus Nutivaara and the playoff veteran Kyle Quincey are sitting there waiting for an opportunity.

The bottom line is that the Jackets need to learn from their counterpart and capitalize on their chances. There were too many good opportunities in the first period to walk out with no goals.

Looking at the bright side, there’s still time to not let game one be a defining moment in this series.

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