The Blue Jackets come into the 10th game of the year with a 7-1-1 record, and it’s safe to say that they will be sitting atop the Eastern Conference standings. If not at the top, then they will be no worse than 2nd or 3rd in the standings.
Oct 2, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing
Phil Kessel(81) celebrates his goal with teammates center
Nazem Kadri(43), right wing
Joffrey Lupul(19) and defenseman
Jake Gardiner(51) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Visiting Nationwide Arena will be the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the lumberjack Phil Kessel. As of this post, the Maple Leafs have started 2-0 and their goaltending has looked pretty good. I have no reason for this, but I just feel this will be a loss for the Blue Jackets. Maybe it’s the fact that Kessel only got a 3 game suspension, preseason games by the way, for trying to use his stick to cripple John Scott. It just seems the Hockey Gods are on the Leafs side.
Toronto will be running high on the return of David Clarkson from his 10 game suspension for leaving the bench during “the brawl”. The Blue Jackets come out flat in the first period and can’t overcome a two goal deficit.
Prediction: Toronto 3 CBJ 1
There you have it, my official prediction for the start of the Blue Jackets season, and some reasoning for it. If the Blue Jackets start the season 7-2-1, I wouldn’t consider that a fast start, I would consider it a heavenly start. Could my love for the Blue Jackets and optimism for this season have jaded my view of the first ten games? Sure, but where is the fun in thinking they will start the season off slow again? I also feel that this start is definitely attainable, this team is primed for a great season, and what better way to start it off than with a fast start.