Week five was another fine week for the Columbus Blue Jackets but they still face power play troubles. This will likely not be they week they figure it out though.
Yet again the Columbus Blue Jackets have a good week without any power play production. What has been on the top of the CBJ to-do list will remain there for another week.
The Jackets did play admirably on the road collecting three out of six points though. The Ranger loss was frustrating but a win in Florida and points in Tampa are bright spots. The Jackets still face a tough week ahead with three games and a back to back.
The list may look familiar to those who are keeping up. It’s because the number one priority hasn’t, nor will change anytime soon.
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#1: Power Play Please
Last week I was aggressive and the hockey gods didn’t look kindly upon my rage. This week I come humbly before them and ask for some help.
Sure the Jackets were two for four against the Florida Panthers. That’s great. But they were 0-9 against the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning. The sink or swim Jackets power play is not acceptable. They need to show more consistency and put up more goals with the man advantage. two for 13 on the week is still a lowly 15%.
The Jackets have start the week out with a different look against the New York Rangers going with both Seth Jones and Zach Werenski on the first unit. Notably missing from that top unit is Alexander Wennberg. We’ll see if Torts sticks with that going forward this week.
#2: Survive and Advance
The Jackets lost Matt Calvert to an upper body injury for at least three weeks. That leaves the Jackets with a recovering Cam Atkinson and Gabriel Carlsson and Lukas Sedlak and Calvert on the IR. The Jackets just got done with a three game road trip which they played over four nights and two back to backs this week.
The Jackets will need to rest, recover and do whatever else they can to prevent anymore Jackets from getting injured. The depth of this team is getting tested and it can’t afford any more losses.
Torts will be especially pissed at this squad if they lose to Nashville but he must resist the urge to skate them to death on Wednesday or Thursday. Staying healthy and moving on is a must.
#3: Get Four Points
First place in the Metropolitan Division and seventh place are separated by only three points. The Metro is certainly living up to preseason expectations as the toughest division in hockey.
For the Columbus Blue Jackets to keep up with the rest of the division they must constantly be racking up points. Four this week are a must for the union blue.