How The Columbus Blue Jackets Can Beat The Pittsburgh Penguins
Dave Miller-USA TODAY Sports
The Columbus Blue Jackets face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which means there are at least 4 chances for the Blue Jackets to shut down Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the Penguins. Having played 19 games against the Pens in 13 seasons with only 4 wins to show for it, the CBJ have a lot to prove this year after the big move to the Eastern Conference. The Penguins dominated the East last season, and many predict them to lead the Metropolitan Division this season. By matching up players and playing to the Penguin’s weaknesses, the Columbus Blue Jackets can easily outsmart one of the most skilled teams in the league.
Let’s start with Sidney Crosby. One way that the Boston Bruins neutralized him in the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals was by putting Patrice Bergeron against Crosby. Bergeron stayed with Crosby like stink on a skunk, which forced other team members to have to make up for him. A defensive center, like Brandon Dubinsky, will know to keep his stick in Crosby’s way and stop him from shooting the puck. Dubinsky can stop one of the biggest forces in the NHL by forcing Crosby to play defense and not letting him have any open ice.
Evgeni Malkin is another threat to be taken care of. The best way to neutralize Malkin is to match a strong, powerful defensive pair against him. Someone such as Dalton Prout could easily physically dominate the ice by checking Malkin when he is coming out of the defensive zone with the puck. It will take more than one player to effectively stop Malkin and Crosby from scoring. It will take a team of great hockey players that share the same mindset to shut them down.
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In addition to the physical presence the CBJ need to employ, there also has to be an element of mischief to the game. During game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins held Sidney Crosby’s stick as he skated to the bench, and did not receive a penalty for it. This made Sid angry and frustrated with the officials, which unnerved him. He scored no points during that game, which allowed the Bruins to sweep the series. Little things like verbally taunting them could get under the Penguin’s skin and throw their game off. The Bruins are full of grit, which is something the Penguins lack and ultimately led to their demise.
The best way to intimidate the Penguins? Win a game and show them that the Columbus Blue Jackets are no longer the laughing stock of the league. The Jackets are ready to win, and building momentum in the first few games by taking down some of the titans of the East is key to proving to the hockey world that they are worthy of praise.