The Blue Jackets are through their first three games of the season, and though the results haven't been exactly what we're hoping for; there are a lot of positive things to take away.
The CBJ sit with a 1-2-0 record thus far, good enough for 2 points in the standings. Their season started with a 2-1 loss in Nashville, then a 7-4 win in Minnesota; before a 3-2 loss to New Jersey at home last night.
That leaves the Jackets with a positive goal differential (10-9), despite the negative record. So, it feels like this team is probably closer to succeeding than these early results might indicate. Let's look at where things are working, and where they need to improve.
Good: The top line picked up right where they left off.
Head coach Dean Evason made some changes to his forward lines just before the start of the season, but it was all in the middle six. That's because his top line of Dmitri Voronkov, Sean Monahan, and Kirill Marchenko, was so good last year.
They have not missed a beat through the first three games. Marchenko (4g) and Voronkov (2g, 2a) share the team lead with 4 points apiece. While Monahan hasn't found the offensive scoresheet yet, he's been his usual effective self, winning puck battles and playing a smart two-way game.
Bonus: Zach Werenski still looks like a Norris Trophy candidate on the back-end.
Bad: The other forward lines aren't keeping pace.
By mixing up his middle six, it feels like Evason has done a nice job balancing out the lineup. As a result, this team has been impressive in the puck possession battle at 5 on 5 (more on that in a minute).
But the other result is bad. The Jackets are getting very little offense from some of their most skilled players. Through three games, Adam Fantilli (1g, 1a) and Kent Johnson (0 points) have combined for as many points as fourth liners Zach Aston-Reese (1a) and Miles Wood (1g).
Johnson (third) and Fantilli (fifth) were amongst the leading scorers for this team last season. So, while surrounding each of them with heavy, responsible two-way players has helped them have the puck more - it's also taken some needed offense away from the middle six.
Evason may be wise to put those two back on the same line to try and generate some secondary offense. It would also be nice to see Fantilli back in the center ice position full-time, where I think he's more involved and effective.
Good: The Jackets are playing pretty well at 5 on 5.
At even strength, the Blue Jackets are playing really well. Despite being out-shot by an 84-81 margin, it feels like they have controlled the pace of play at even strength more often than the opposition.
They have out-scored the opposition 9-3 at even strength, with one of those goals against being an empty netter. They have also posted very promising advanced numbers per Hockey Reference; including a 51.5% CF rating, while accruing an xGF of 6.6, and an xGA of 5.9.
This puts them in the upper half of the league, despite facing some really tough opponents through these first three games. If they can keep up that 5 on 5 play, they are going to be a really tough team to beat this season.
Bad: They are not playing well on special teams.
Here is where it gets ugly. Simply put, the Jackets have lost two out of three because of their special teams play. On both the power-play and penalty kill units, this team is a mess.
They had a 5-2 advantage in power-plays last night, but came out of it with a -2 goal differential. In a one goal game, it's easy to see how much a power-play goal our killed penalty would have helped.
They are 1 for 9 (11.1%) with the man advantage through three games. This includes a 4 minute power-play last night against New Jersey, where they managed some shots but were unable to find the net.
Somehow, the penalty kill is far worse. They've given up at least one power-play goal in each game, and it has been the difference in two of them. With 9 total goals surrendered, 7 of them have been while shorthanded, in 14 attempts.
When you are taking an average of almost 5 minor penalties per game, that is going to be very, very costly if your PK isn't up to snuff. The Jackets have got to improve upon their discipline avoiding penalties, and they have got to find ways to kill off the man advantage when they do wind up in the box.
Bonus Good: The goaltending has been outstanding.
I didn't want to end on a negative, and quite frankly, this probably deserves its own recognition anyway. Through three games, Jet Greaves and Elvis Merzlikins have combined to make 103 saves on 111 shots. That's a team save percentage of .928%. A deeper dive with MoneyPuck further proves the point.
Both of them have been nothing short of fantastic for the Jackets. If we knew we were going to get that kind of start in goal, we would surely have thought this team would be 3-0.
And, I would argue that they have been good enough to be undefeated. They just need to figure out how to play when there aren't 10 skaters on the ice.
With 2 days off before their next game, expect this team to spend some time working on those special teams units. Hopefully, they come back more dialed in and ready to work.