Columbus Blue Jackets: The Case for Optimism in Second Half
The Columbus Blue Jackets start the second half of the year with too much pessimism surround the team.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are second in the Metropolitan division currently with 57 points. They are on pace for 95 points and a could have home ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs.
Despite that success there is a dark cloud that hangs over this team. There is a pessimistic outlook regarding the Jackets that many can not shake.
They lose to teams they shouldn’t lose to, they are squeaking out victories in overtime and shootouts when they do win and they are entirely unimpressive and boring for long stretches of play.
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But there is a ton of reasons to be optimistic going into the second half of the season. Following the All-Star break the Columbus Blue Jackets and their fans should look to these reasons for optimism.
Getting Healthy
The Jackets are finally getting healthy. They have been battling a string of injuries since November and they can never seem to get their full squad together.
While there are still concerns regarding Brandon Dubinksy and his time table for return, he should be close based on what we know to be true. Ryan Murray seems to be close as well. The return of Cam Atkinson is huge for the team and already is paying dividends.
Related Story: Atkinson Return Sparks Foligno, Wennberg
If the Jackets can get Dubi and Murray back, they will be at their opening night roster, sans Sonny Milano, for the first time in a while. Now is the time to get healthy and carry that health into the playoffs.
Best Play Yet to Come
The team hasn’t played their best hockey of the season yet. Not even close. Unlike last year where the Columbus Blue Jackets seemed unstoppable for the first three months of the season, this year has been a struggle.
It seems that the Jackets have had to scratch and claw their way their decent record they currently have. Pucks haven’t bounced their way, shooting percentages are down, and injuries have hurt the team. It is possible this happens for an entire season, but statistically it isn’t likely
Next: CBJ History at the All-Star Game
Puck luck turns, especially for a team that does play hard and has an exceptional goaltender that can buy them time. I think they have taken the unfortunate bounces and inconsistent play and made the most of it. The second half of the season we will see better shooting percentages, better puck luck, and a team that can carry momentum from one game to the next.