Tough Loss

Hey all,

Check for a full post game analysis later on tonight. After a heartbreaking loss in OT against Tampa.

Please check back later on tonight, as I will analysis every major aspect of the game.

Thanks,

Chris

Go Jackets!!!

Common Jackets get another two points in a tight western conference race. Please feel free to post any comments on the game during the game, I would love to hear from you guys.

I will post a full game assessment after the game.

Good luck Jackets!!!

Found an good little video on Columbus's hits and fights the past two years, check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kqnGYk1tDI

Looking Forward to Tampa

Columbus Blue Jackets(38-28-6) @ Tampa Bay Lightning(23-33-16)

Your Blue Jackets will be in Tampa Tuesday night, March 24 2009, to battle the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa Bay will be looking to avoid a 7th straight home loss, but Columbus would be more than happy to continue that streak for Tampa, and get 2 more points in a tight Western Conference race.

Mason will probably get the nod once again, as he only lost 1 game this season against the Eastern Conference. Tampa Bay will look to their top players to get them out of this horrible streak, including Steven Stamkos. Stamkos is hot lately,4 goals in his previous 3 games, after a slow start he now has 18 goals and looks for a 20 goal rookie season. Keep an eye on the Jackets offense as they play a shaky defense in Tampa, who has had 20 different blue liners suit up this season, and loosing arguably their MVP on defense Cory Murphy for the season last week. Interesting note, Rick Nash has never scored against Tampa Bay in 5 career games, however I would make a bet that Nash finds the back of the net on either Karri Ramo, Mike Mckenna or Mike Smith, whoever Tampa gives the nod too.

Prediction: 4-2 Columbus. I really like the in game match up of the Jackets offense vs. the Lightning Defense. Look to see how Vermette and Umberger connect against a weak defense. Also look to see if Nash can net his first career goal against Tampa Bay.



Go Jackets!!

Photos from Florida game

Hey Jackets fans,

Thanks to the Columbus Dispatch for taking these wonderful photos of in game action of the Blue Jackets exciting road win in Florida on Saturday. Hope you enjoy.

http://www.bluejacketsxtra.com/live/content/multimedia/slideshows/2009/03/panthers/index.html

Game 72: Columbus @ Florida

Jackets win!

Final score of 3-1, Mason played outstanding, saving 22 of the 23 shots he faced. Another exciting game for Blue Jackets fan when Raffi Torres scored with 2:46 seconds left in the game to tie the game up at 1. Then he finds the back of the net once again with 1:33 to take the lead, giving Torres 10 goals on the year. Absolutely incredible. Then Vermette scores and empty netter to put the game out of reach, giving him 14 goals on the year, and his 7th point, and 4th goal as a Blue Jacket.

Good game by both goalies, as Vokoun had a shut-out going late in to the third period. But thanks to Torres(my new favorite player), who finds a way to score two late goals and give the Blue Jackets 2 more points.

With the win Columbus moves 3 points back of Chicago for the 5th spot in the western conference.

Excellent game for the Jackets as they start the Florida road trip with a win. Next game in Tampa Bay on Tuesday night.

Interesting Article from "The Hockey Writers"

Here is a very interesting report on your Columbus Blue Jackets. Rick Gethin from "The Hockey News", Rick interviews Ken Hitchcock along with several other Blue Jackets including Mike Commodore and Michael Peca.

Very interesting reading about how important it is for the players to make the playoffs. Every in Columbus is ecstatic about not only making the playoffs, but making it past the first round.

Enjoy this article http://thehockeywriters.com/blue-jackets-on-the-verge/

Western Conference's Hardest Division

Out of the three western conference divisions, the central, northwest and pacific, no division has more playoff bound teams than the central. With 4 teams currently in (Detriot, Chicago, Columbus and Nashville) and St. Louis only 5 points out of the final spot, its easy to say that we play in the toughest division in the Western Conference. On top of an outstanding 4 teams in the playoffs, the central division is also home to the NHL's best team. Detriot with 103 points in 71 games, and 2008 nhl stanley cup champion.

Cleary in order to make the playoffs you must do will within your division. And Columbus has done just that going 8-8-1 in games against division opponents. Not a bad record but certainly accomplishing considering we must face every member of our division 6 times, 24 games against teams in the hardest division. No small task, but so far the Blue Jackets have managed an average record against division foes, which is why I believe they are a serious contender for the playoffs. 

When you play 24 grueling games each season it starts to take its toll. However I always view the glass as half full, and since 4 central division teams are in the playoffs, thats 18 divisional games against playoff teams. Not only will that prepare us for the playoffs, but if 4 central teams make the playoffs, we are familiar with half of our potential playoff opponents. 

Game Preview - Blue Jackets @ Panthers

On Saturday March 20, 2009 the Columbus Blue Jackets will make a rare apperance in Florida. First playing Florida saturday night then Tampa Bay Tuesday night. Let's take a look at the Florida Panthers.

Florida is back on the right track with a win against Toronto Thursday night, getting past their 4 game losing streak and putting them within 1 point of 8th place in the Eastern Conference. Florida will put it all on the line Saturday night and it should be a great thriller. 

This is the first matchup of the season between the two teams. The last meeting was on November 21, 2007 with Florida winning 5-2 in Columbus. 

Columbus is on a hot streak winning 5 of the past 6 games, including a OT thriller against Chicago Wednesday night, and i don't see them losing against Florida. With Mason between the pipes and a newly acquired Vermette on a hot streak, Columbus is definatly a team to be reconded with. The top line of Nash, Malhotra, and Huselius is playing as good of hockey as they've been all year. And Second line of Umberger, Vermette and Williams, quickly gotten to know eachother and suddenly gave Columbus another exciting line. 

Prediction Columbus 3 Florida 2 (OT)

I predict another OT win for Columbus, I think that it will be a low scoring game with two hot netminders between the pipes. Keep an eye open at the combination of Umberger and Vermette. The two could hook up again Saturday night. Also look to see how Columbus deals with a team fighting for the playoffs, as we will have to face a number of teams on the bubble in the next couple of weeks.

Pascal Leclaire or Antoine Vermette?

We are closing in on the regular sesason, and the Jackets are pushing for a playoff spot. I want to revisit the trade that sent out an incredible young goalie for some more offense.  

First question, Which player would help out more getting to and winning in the playoffs?

That's and easy one, my first thought is how can a backup goalie help us out more than another big offensive threat? Then I thought won't Mason need any rest should we make it past the first round? But then I realized that Leclaire only won 4 games for the Jackets in 12 starts this season, before getting injured. Not great numbers, considering backup Wade Dubielewicz played above average last year replacing the often injured Rick Dipietro. Wade has started 3 games this season, and could very well play one game in the playoffs without having to many scares in net. So yes, the Jackets can easily go into the playoffs with Mason being backed up be Dubielewicz. So far, Vermette has been outstanding since his start with Columbus. In his 6 games with the Jackets he has 3 goals and 3 helpers, not to mention the OT winner last night against Chicago. In the post-season if you cant score you can't win. Vermette adds that extra push of offense for the Jackets in the post-season, which is far more important than a backup goalie. 

Second question, which team made a better move for the future?

Vermette has one more year on his contract after this year. Assuming the Jackets can resign him to a long-term contract, he will add another offensive threat to the Jacket line-up for years to come. Leclaire will have two years left in Ottawa after this season. Next year he will compete for the Senator starting goalie job, barring other goalie acquisitions, he has a very high chance of staring in Ottawa next year. Both players are 26, and both players have bright NHL careers ahead of them. However I see Vermette helping out Columbus more than Leclaire will help out Ottawa. Ever since Ottawa lost Patrick Lalime, they have gone threw so many different goalies, and I truely believe Leclaire will just become another victim of Ottawa misplaying and mistreating their goalies. 

Please post your thoughts, I would love to hear your opinion!

Links for March 19, 2009

I like to search the web to get other people's perspective on Blue Jackets hockey. Hope you enjoy.

Catch up with Jacket prospects at http://bluejackets.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=414516

See where Steve Mason ranks for ROY at http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/jaysfan67/187022

Marc Methot returns to practice http://www.bluejacketsxtra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2009/03/18/jackets_notes_3-18.ART_ART_03-18-09_C5_R9D96HU.html?sid=101

Compare Steve Mason to Martin Brodeur at http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/2009/03/is_steve_mason_the_next_marty.html

If the playoffs started today.. http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/matchups?season=2009

Cool article from the Dispatch on Umberger and Vermette at http://www.bluejacketsxtra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2009/03/19/jackets_notes_3-19.ART_ART_03-19-09_C4_V1D9LV6.html?sid=101

Welcome!

Hello all Blue Jackets fans,

I am pleased to announce the starting of this new blog devouted to the Columbus Blue Jackets. I promise that I will update daily with exciting new stories, rumors, standings, and I will add my own opinion into all Blue Jackets related stories. I will be writing this blog year round, with hopes that you send me emails and comments on what you want to hear about. I thrive off of your opinions as well, any criticism is also accepted.

I hope that you choose to follow this blog as together we cheer on the Blue Jackets as they look to make the playoffs for the first time in team history. Hope you all continue to go to Nationwide arena to watch the games, and cheer on the beloved Jackets.