The Blue Jackets did not get the results they wanted on their three game road swing this week. They went 1-2-0 in three games that meant a ton in the standings. Now, instead of building a little bit of a gap; the playoff race has tightened around them.
The main reason they couldn't pick up more points: the team's offense has begun to sputter. Through these games, the Jackets managed just 4 goals-with 3 of them coming in their lone victory of the trip.
On Sunday, they were pretty uninspired against the New York Islanders. In a game that was primed to be a big showdown, the Jackets simply went through the motions for about 55 minutes, before turning their game on late.
The frustrating part of this one was that, when they finally kicked it into high gear, they looked like the much better team. But at that point, it was too late. They had spent too much of their night chipping pucks in and out at the lines, allowing the Islanders to lock the game down.
They started the same way on Tuesday in Philadelphia. The first period was one of the worst periods of hockey they played all season. But, they rallied, scored three straight goals, and took a big two points against the Flyers. I thought this was their worst game of the trip, but they found a way to get it done. That's what good teams do.
That gave us confidence heading into last night's marquee matchup against the Montreal Canadiens. On paper, I actually liked this one, because I thought the Jackets would have a chance to show off their strengths.
And, while they came home with the loss, I thought they played their best game of the trip. They defended well, and kept the star players for the Habs mostly off of the scoresheet. That is the recipe for success against that team, and on a lot of nights, that game could go either way.
But the Jackets just could not find the tying goal. That's something that will have to change if this team is going to find its way into the playoffs.
Where is the greasy goal?
There isn't much to break down here. If you go back and look at all four goals the team scored on this trip, they were all scored in similar fashion. The team made a nice pass, setting someone up with time and space.
Then, the player with time and space did not overthink the process. All four of these goals were scored by someone confidently firing a shot on net. That's a good thing.
The bad thing? At this time of year, you have to find other ways to get on the scoreboard. Yes, those goals were all scored beautifully. But, where is the net front presence on any of them? Where are the bodies flying, banging in the rebound? That's what is missing right now.
Two reasons they aren't getting in-zone offense.
First, the thing I noticed most last night and Sunday on Long Island: the dump and chase has not been effective. They tried to use this method to get their forecheck going in both games, and almost every time, the puck wound up right back in the neutral zone.
Second, when they do gain the zone, they aren't winning inside. They are getting boxed out, which is allowing the opposition to get one save, and then either a frozen puck, or a clear. How much different would last night be if Mason Marchment had been able to finish here?
That's a greasy goal. That was the difference on the night. While it's easy to be mad at Mush for shanking it, I can't recall any other secondary chances like this last night. That's what they need to be better about doing, because 99 times out of 100, that puck is in the net.
It seems like this team needs to get a little quicker, and a little meaner. That's what wins in the playoffs.