The recent struggles of the Columbus Blue Jackets have been well documented. I’m sure you’ve heard of the win-loss-win-loss streak the team has going on. And I’m sure you’re aware of the bi-polar product on the ice. But why, how is this happening? Here comes the depressing part: I don’t know.
As fans, we like to think we know how to fix whatever ails our team. By being a sports fan in general, you have to accept the fact that you have little to no control. You invest so much of yourself in your team and you have no measure of control over what happens.
For the Columbus Blue Jackets, the problem is…uh, the problem in one game is the strength in the others. The games they win, scoring is an abundance. The games they lose? It’s a different story. Columbus is barely mustering 15 shots on goal during the losses.
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The defense is the same broken record. They look like solid, puck-moving, blue liners capable of making fast, accurate decisions when the team wins. But when it rains, it pours. The chemistry is nowhere to be seen and inability to clear the zone or simply have the correct defensive coverage amplifies the more the game goes along.
And what about Bob? Sergei Bobrovsky looks like two completely different goaltenders. You can only blame the defenseman for so long before Bobrovsky gets some of the blame. His lack of rebound-control is alarming, and not just for a professional goaltender.
Not only is Sergei the reigning Vezina-trophy winner, but he’s the franchise goaltender. He’s taken steps back, which just can’t happen. It sounds simple, saying things like “which just can’t happen.” Because it is. It’s very simple. Bobrovsky, like the rest of the team, just isn’t playing good hockey. And damn if I know why.
“Effort” is something that comes up a lot when discussing this topic. Fans see that the players have the skill, but they’re just not working hard enough. It’s honestly a very fair accusation. The shots-on-goal statistics during losses backs that claim up.
But something tells me that it’s too easy of a cop out. If you take a look at the injury reports, you can see that Columbus has more than one big guy who’s bruised and battered. Aside from the obvious, (Nathan Horton), you have the most skilled (?) player in Marian Gaborik sidelined as well as the heart and soul, “Captain” Brandon Dubinsky out as well.
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But once you start blaming the injuries, it’s a slippery slope. Then you start blaming the schedule, like James Wisniewski. If you have expectations, you need to stick to them. It’s the only way you can fairly judge your team’s progress. Holding your team accountable in every situation, no matter what, is the only way to grow.
So where does that take us? Through my analyzation of this team’s struggles, I’ve come up with exactly nothing. I don’t know why they’re playing such inconsistent hockey. I just don’t know. Fans, coaches, and writers have put out thoughtless theories as to why the CBJ dice has landed on these scenarios. But they don’t know.
This Blue Jackets squad is a real head scratcher. Nobody can figure this team out, not even Coach Todd Richards. But that’s not an excuse to lighten up on your expectations.
If we thought this team way playoff bound at the beginning of the year, it’s still the case now. Don’t let your confusion cloud your expectations or your critique. Just because we don’t know why they’re playing the way they’re playing, doesn’t mean it’s acceptable.