With a 4-1 loss, the Jackets flashed their license to dive last night in St. Louis.
1. Guys looked pretty good in that first 20 and it was a bit of a crime that the Blues got out of that period with a 1-0 lead. The CBJ battled back to tie it up on a nice Atkinson goal but then the ice titled back towards the home team and it was all Blues from their on out.
2. Does Hitch have the Blues rolling or what? Since he was hired his overall record is 38-11-7 and his team is number #1 in the overall NHL standings. Message to ownership -- IT'S NOT THE COACH!
3. Not a big proponent of having Cam Atkinson up with the big team as I think his overall development curve would be much better served finishing out the AHL season and trying to help that team make the playoffs. That said, he played a very strong game in this one and was one of the few bright spots for the CBJ. Not just because he got a goal, which was great to see especially for his confidence, but he was just around the net all night long. He could have easily had one or two more. He picked up that goal, was a +1, played 17+ minutes and had 3 shots.
4. Fail for Nail watch. The Oil picked up a point and the Canadiens won. That leaves the CBJ with an 8 point cushion in the basement over 29th (EDM) and 13 points over 28th (MTL) with 14 to go.
5. Check out this interesting tweet from @MAGodin (Habs beat writer) by way of @Rob10TVSports re-tweet: "NHL execs from 3 different teams told me #CBJ expected to trade 1st round pick (likely 1st overall) at upcoming draft". My first reaction when reading that? Jackets want no part of drafting another Russian with a high draft pick. I'm actually open to that possibility assuming we can stay top 5 and grab a guy like Galchenyuk. Then again I come back to not having any trust in Howson and Co. to make that decision.
6. More Yakupov (not much else to write about in this one). Check out this hit he received last night:
EXTRA SHOTS:
What a sick goal by Stewart that broke this game open. Regarding the Nash/Jackman scrum I'm not surprised that A. he didn't drop the gloves and B. that nobody came to his aid. I did like the fact that Boyce came to Mayorov's aid after his hit -- even though that hit was as clean as they come. Does Byers ever win a fight? Too bad Kris Russell is out with a concussion as who wouldn't like to see a Russell vs. Russell main event? Jackets gave up 2 PP goals. Sanford not great stopping just 25 of 29 shots for a .862 Save% although a very unlucky bounce off Nikitin's stick on one of em. Jack Johnson a team high 28:10 in ice time. Wiz 2nd with 27:23. Both finished even in +/-. I never thought those two would click together but they have played well as a pair on both sides of the ice thus far. At least Johansen was at center. I expect a much better overall effort in the rematch tonight at home.
Reminder to join F.A.N.S. at the east entrance to Nationwide Arena for "Sign Sunday". Stop by and say hello and make a free neon green sign with your message to ownership! All details can be found here!
-LTL
Original Story:
http://www.lightthelamp.com/2012-arti...
|
March 11, 2012
