Columbus Blue Jackets Lose Three Straight Games for First Time this Season
The Columbus Blue Jackets become the last team in the NHL to lose three straight games this season. The Jackets fell to Washington 3-2 in Columbus.
The loss to Washington marks the Columbus Blue Jackets third straight loss this season. The CBJ’s impeccable run of not losing three games in a row is finally over.
To put this in perspective, the Jackets had eight losing streaks of three games or more last season; including a seven game losing streak to start the season. Those losing streaks alone accounted for 32 total losses. The Jackets only have 29 losses so far this year.
Columbus has been able to gain two points throughout the year without ever slumping into a loosing streak, mostly on the back of Sergei Bobrovsky. Not to say that the first three game loosing streak is on his shoulders. This recent string of losses can be pinned on a lack of offense.
With only seven goals in the last five games, the offense is lost. The team has not consistently created sustained offensive opportunities and the power play is abysmal.
Related Story: Columbus Blue Jackets Power Play Woes
With the loss of Zach Werenski, the Jackets scoring problems will likely continue. The Columbus Blue Jackets have called up Sonny Milano from Cleveland though as several forwards are injured and others underperforming.
The former 2014 first round pick is a scorer and has been playing well recently in Cleveland following a start to the season that included him not making the NHL team. The Jackets are hopeful he can join the team and provide a spark, much like Oliver Bjorkstrand did when he got his second chance in Columbus.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Time to Panic?
Only gaining one point in the last three games is starting to concern some Blue Jackets fans, but not me. Contrary to popular belief, now is not the time when you want to be playing your best hockey. That time starts next week during the playoffs.
This team has shown it can turn their level of play up when needed. They showed this following the 3-0 loss to Vancouver as they went on to play extremely well in late February through March following that bad loss.
Now is the time to be healthy though and that is concerning. Taking the time to get the roster healthy should be of the utmost concern, not losing three games in a row to arguably the three hottest teams in hockey.
Get the roster ready for playoff time and turn it on next week. That has to be the blueprint going forward.