Key #2: Avoiding a 2nd Period Collapse
To say the second period hasn’t been kind to the Columbus Blue Jackets is an understatement. In five games the Jackets have gave up nine goals in the second period that have been back breakers.
To watch this team come out and dominate the first period of games and then just sleep walk for the second twenty minutes is mind boggling. It has to turn around and it started to come around agains the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, but they still gave up a goal after starting to rally.
There isn’t a schematic change that needs to be made or a coaching adjustment of any kind. The Jackets just have to be dialed in all game. The team has had four days to stew on their issues and hopefully their second period lapses was one of those issues.
It may be a silly stat to look at but the Flyers have been great in the second period over the last four games. They have scored nine second period goals in the last four games including five in the second period on Tuesday agains the Panthers. Not a great sign if you are the Jackets.