Can the Blue Jackets ever just...be normal?
Good grief.
Patrik Laine's benching–and yes, we're back here again–consumed the final 6:19 of the second period and the entire third period. His fourth game in Columbus, a day after scoring two goals and being one of the best players on the ice, and Laine is riding the pine for nearly half a game less than a week after his Blue Jackets debut.
[everything is fine + dog + fire GIF]
Yes, the Blue Jackets won. They're a middling 6-5-3 and losing ground fast, so a win is useful. But that's not what most people are going to be talking about after this game. Let's dig into tonight's three things.
YOU NOW KNOW JACK
Jack Roslovic has been terrific since joining the Blue Jackets in the blockbuster deal with the Winnipeg Jets. Sure, Laine was the headliner, but Roslovic has been one of Columbus' best players since he put on the new sweater.
Tonight's game-winning goal with 4:36 left in regulation was a work of art.
Roslovic got a stretch pass from Vladislav Gavrikov, broke through the Hurricanes defense and tucked in a beauty on his backhand, ranging across the face of goal. Roslovic has a five-game points streak (two goals, five assists) going, and his confidence is skyrocketing.
MR. ROSLOVIC. HOW DO YOU DO. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/vPeJBdDvTe
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 9, 2021
"[Roslovic] played a great game," said Cam Atkinson, who scored a shorthanded penalty shot goal in the game. "He's been playing great for us since he's been here."
WELCOME TO TOWN, PATTY
John Tortorella insisted that Laine's missed defensive assignment on Carolina's second goal was not the cause of his benching. Ok, then. He also said the conversation will stay in-house. Check, and check.
It's a lightning rod moment, no doubt.
"The last thing I want to do is bench a player. We're just disjointed," Tortorella said. "I'm sure Patty and I will talk about certain things that we're looking for here. I've got to listen to him also, and get it about it here. I've got to get this team to play as a team and care as a team, or we'll continue to play the hockey we're playing right now. Again, I know you (the media) think it's a big thing. I think it's part of a process of understanding our team concept, and how we do things here."
What's wrong with letting him watch the second period and then get him back out for the third? At best, it's an unnecessarily harsh response to a player who's new and trying to get used to new surroundings. At worst, it's another chapter in a familiar story.
The Blue Jackets are off tomorrow and back to practice on Wednesday before heading out of town.
DISJOINTED, DYSFUNCTIONAL
Dean Kukan's benching, which was longer than Laine's, encapsulated the myriad of issues the Blue Jackets are having in their own end. They can't get out of the zone clean, their transition game is a mess, and their connectedness is largely nonexistent.
The decision by Tortorella to go to five defenseman for most of the second and third periods didn't help them in terms of manpower, but again, it's something he felt he needed to do.
Columbus' ongoing issues stemming the tides in their defensive zone and trying to relieve pressure didn't disappear overnight. This is has been something they're good at it, but right now, they're a work in progress.
