The Best Players for the Columbus Blue Jackets Need to be Better
The Jackets dropped another frustrating loss last night, in a game that they could have won. We can debate the game quite a bit, but the common recurring theme in my opinion is: their best players need to play better.
It was an ugly start last night, one that harkened back memories of last year’s dismal performances. Ryan Lomberg kicked off the scoring for the Panthers just 2:19 into the game. Goals from Gustav Forsling (3:09) and Aleksander Barkov (6:09) seemed to put it well out of reach, just over six minutes in. Elvis Merzlikins was mercifully pulled from a game that seemed like it was heading towards a double digit loss.
After getting the game’s first shot on goal, the Blue Jackets were under siege from the Panthers for nearly the entire first period. The Cats put 21 straight shots on net, a number that doesn’t include the multiple posts they hit during that stretch of dominance. But Spencer Martin came in and helped the team stem the tide; eventually giving them a chance to get their legs going. The Jackets countered with goals from Sean Kuraly (15:41) and Boone Jenner (18:51), somehow getting back into this game before intermission.
CAP’N CONTINUES THE COMEBACK EFFORT!@FanaticsBook | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/IBIVVpeFOZ
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 7, 2023
Kirill Marchenko’s power-play goal just past the half way point of the second period tied things up. The Jackets and Panthers exchanged long shifts in the offensive zone for much of the balance of the game, but it seemed like it could be our night when Alexandre Texier scored the go-ahead goal 12:30 into the third period.
Unfortunately, it was not our night. An ugly clearing attempt from Ivan Provorov led to a Nick Cousins game-tying goal; then the Panthers dominated the overtime period, eventually getting the winner from Carter Verhaege just 1:26 in. The Jackets should feel really fortunate to come out of this one with a point; I don’t think that happens with the team from the past couple of years.
They battled back and kept working, getting goals from a couple of veteran role players, and then the young guns started to show out. But, I wanted to analyze what’s at the core of this team’s struggles right now. Let’s take a deep dive into things on the next page.
This team really needs its experienced players to lead the way. For as good as their younger players are, they’re still wildly inexperienced and need to be led by example.
That did not happen last night. The first goal for the Panthers was fluky, so we can’t really start there. The Jackets actually do a nice job breaking up an odd-man rush here, but Ryan Lomberg just makes a nice play, catching an over-extended Elvis Merzlikins off of his mark and banking in a greasy goal. The issues I’m talking about really started to show up on the second Florida goal:
In Gus we trust 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ktZzkXv19L
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) November 7, 2023
Damon Severson does a nice job winning the puck, then makes the right play with a pass up the weak side to Johnny Gaudreau. Gaudreau somehow miffs receiving the pass here, leading to a turnover, where the Panthers quickly strike. Pay attention to how the Jackets recover defensively … or, should I say, how they don’t recover defensively. What is Boone Jenner guarding against here? All he does is act as a screen for his own goaltender. And don’t even get me started on the effort by Jack Roslovic, whose cover scores the easiest goal of his NHL career.
That’s the top line and top defense pair for the Blue Jackets, showing zero care as the team goes down 2-0. But hold on, they weren’t finished yet! Look at the effort on this play … again, lots of standing around up high (uh, Johnny? … Paging a Mr. Gaudreau…), coupled with Jenner chasing the puck. Then, Zach Werenski boxes himself out of the play, leaving Severson to defend a 2-on-1 net-front, which goes about as well as one would expect:
Sasha Barkov simply makes 👏 it 👏 happen 👏 pic.twitter.com/FfkUQg9aba
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) November 7, 2023
This is just not good enough from a group that should be leading the charge here. In my opinion, it’s no secret why this team lost last night. They were being carried heavily by their middle two lines; neither of which were on the ice when the minutes were meaningful at the end of the game or overtime. When your best players, the guys who play in those situations, aren’t your best players on a given night, you will not win many hockey games.
Everyone was quick to pin the blame for last night’s loss on Ivan Provorov for his ugly turnover late; but the fact of the matter is, this game wouldn’t have even been in a close situation if the top guns for the Blue Jackets had actually showed up and played. The young players were flying and gave this team a spark for most of the night. Spencer Martin stood on his head, making 35 straight saves. He deserved better.
At the very least, I think it’s time for Pascal Vincent to split up this top line. It’s not working right now, for anyone except Boone Jenner. He has to find a way to spark Gaudreau, and he has to find a way to get Werenski to play more engaged hockey. These are the guys who should be leading the way. If Erik Gudbranson is your best player on many given nights (he has been lately); you have some things to work on.
Next. Jacket Loss Means Longer-Term Growth. dark