Are the Wheels Off for the Blue Jackets?

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The Blue Jackets dropped both games in Finland over the weekend, by scores of 6-3 and 5-1. The team has now lost 5 games in a row, being outscored by a combined 28-8 in the process. The wheels may very well be falling off; but can the season still be salvaged?

The results are far less than what the team hoped for when they signed up to take part in the NHL’s Global Series. These games were supposed to showcase the finest players to the European market. Both teams have superstar Finnish talent, that the fans were clamoring to see. The Blue Jackets are have even been assembled by a Finnish GM. What’s not to love?

TAMPERE, FINLAND – NOVEMBER 05: goalkeeper Joonas Korpisalo of Columbus (R) and Nick Blankenburg of Columbus in action on Artturi Lehkonen of Colarado goal during the 2022 NHL Global Series – Finland match between Colorado Avalanche and Columbus Blue Jackets at Nokia Arena on November 5, 2022 in Tampere, Finland. (Photo by Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Well, for starters, the Blue Jackets are a complete mess right now. They’re mired in the worst stretch of play I can ever remember seeing; and that says a lot for this franchise. Averaging just 1.6 goals for per game, while surrendering 5.6 against over the last two weeks, is all you really need to know about their current situation.

The Avalanche are clearly the superior team, both on paper and in performance … but the gap isn’t as vast as the outcome of these games. While the Jackets did play better than in their previous three outings, they still got walloped in both games.

The offense looks disjointed. The defense, completely not working. Goaltending is a complete mess, regardless who is in the cage. This looks like a team that has given up, just 12 games into the season.

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