A poor end to January and even worse start to February have the Jackets in a bad spot as they hit the roughest patch of their schedule. Here's what we've learned in the last week.
It’s Just About Time To Panic
Sure, the division is still tight, and the Jackets may claw their way back to safety with a big week or two. But there's – no way to sugar coat it – the Jackets threw away two points on Saturday night, and they've been flat out bad for a couple of weeks now.
For most of the night on Saturday, it looked like that game may be the turning point of the season for Columbus. A franchise-record 26 shots in the first period yielded only one goal. A still-impressive 14 in the second period generated two more, but only after the Islanders went up 2-1.
Jordan Eberle and Brock Nelson quickly put the game out of reach for the Isles in the third period. To put up 49 shots in a game and lose (in regulation!) simply doesn’t happen to playoff teams. As currently constructed (and performing), that is not the Blue Jackets.
It’s easy to assign blame in the moment. Against the Sharks one night earlier, Nick Foligno took a careless penalty that led to a San Jose goal, which the Jackets couldn’t come back from. But by and large, this team’s failure to consistently play at a high level can’t be blamed on one person. It’s a combination of things that are probably (hopefully) fixable.
Some is on players either regressing, not being ready, or hitting a wall. Injuries have played a role. Picking up whatever’s left of Jussi Jokinen won’t put this team back where it should be.
But a lot of the blame has to go to the coaching staff. The Jackets have been downright bad at everything that’s not five-on-five play all year long. Veterans make big mistakes all too often, and shuffling the lines isn’t a long-term fix.
The Jackets Need A Finisher
Last week’s report that Rick Nash is available and could land in Columbus were met with mixed feelings for many Blue Jackets faithful. That said, he’s the type of player (and person) that the club should undoubtedly welcome back with open arms.
A skilled, proven finisher like Nash would have made life a lot easier for the Blue Jackets against the Islanders. The Jackets had 38 (!) scoring chances in that game, according to Natural Stat Trick, and came away with just three goals.
While everyone’s been clamoring for a center all season (which, to be fair, is also an area of need), left wing has been a clown show most of the year. Beyond Artemi Panarin, who is great, it’s been a revolving door of:
- Nick Foligno, who is on pace for his lowest offensive output as a Jacket (22 points in 52 games)
- Boone Jenner, also on pace for his worst season (13 points in 45 games – yikes!)
- Sonny Milano, who is out indefinitely and still learning the game at the NHL level
- Matt Calvert, a known quantity who should be on the fourth line.
- Jussi Jokinen, who hasn’t impressed in his first six games with the club, notching just one point.
Rick Nash isn't the franchise player he used to be, but he'd be a big first step towards solving some of the Jackets' most pressing problems. If not Nash, someone like Thomas Vanek could fill a similar role. Either way, the Jackets need help, and they need it soon.
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