The Columbus Blue Jackets have had some good success as of late when it comes to bouncing back after falling short or flat in the opening game of a back-to-back. Such an event happened last night in a 4-2 loss in Toronto, so surely, tonight would be a different story, especially since they were coming back to Nationwide Arena for the first time since their four game road trip began.
But, alas, such was not the case, as the division-leading New York Islanders came into NWA and made it their own place, using a three-goal second period to get out to a 4-1 lead and flabbergasting the Blue Jackets. It was the Islanders who struck first, and it only took about 30 seconds into the game, as Nikolay Kulemin ripped a shot from the blueline to give the Islanders a 1-0, and the “here we go again,” mentality began to creep in.
But, less than five minutes later, Jack Johnson scored his fourth goal of the year, and his second power play tally on the season, to bring the Jackets back to a tie game, and then we thought to ourselves “we were crazy to ever doubt our Blue Jackets!”
Well, as it turns out, our suspicions were correct, as the second period saw back to back to back Islanders goals to put Columbus in their second 4-1 deficit in as many nights. But, just like last night, the Jackets didn’t simply roll over, they actually played better than they had all game after that point, and even got another goal of their own, as two All-Star selections in Nick Foligno and Ryan Johansen connected for Foligno’s 18th goal of the year.
Kyle Okposo would take all the wind out of the CBJ’s sails with the final goal of the game late in the third period to make it a 5-2 game.
If there’s one thing a majority of the Isles’ goals have, its that they happened in transition. The Jackets didn’t allow them to get into their zone, set up for two or three minutes, and then they were just worn down until New York struck. Now, it was off an unsuccessful dump in along the boards, or simply on a New York breakout.
The game also didn’t end very pretty. The final three minutes of the game saw Scott Hartnell go to the penalty box for a four minute double minor, Cam Atkinson go to the box for a high sticking call to make the Islanders’ advantage a 5-on-3, a whole lot of pushing and shoving, Brandon Dubinsky swinging his stick at Okposo and a skirmish after the final buzzer sounded.
The Blue Jackets were frustrated at the end of the game, and they had every right to be after the way they played. But, that still doesn’t excuse them for not only playing poorly, but ending the game with a poor showing and control of the emotions.
They’ve been on the road, they’re tired – I get it. They also have a few days off before facing Montreal on Wednesday and have a ton of things to work on. Embrace the rest.