After impressively taking down TOR and CAR with OT victories the Jackets forgot that there were 2 games left in the month. Both PHI and EDM dominated them in those final match ups.

An analysis of the opening month of the season finds 2 games at the beginning of the month and 2 at the end that were very disappointing. The 8 in between were very competitive and an encouraging sight moving forward in the season.

These last two games, and specifically the performance by Korpi, leave CBJ fans with some apprehension moving forward. While the goalie pecking order seemed to have been decided a week or so ago, now seems to be up in the air once again.

In the last few opportunities that Elvis has been given he has looked like the stronger of the two between the pipes. Versus EDM he served as a reliever in a game that was already out of hand, but he kept the Oilers off the board for 35 minutes. He also stopped 30 of 33 shots at CHI with the OT winner being a very quarky goal that bounced off Toews as he drove the net.

Looking Forward

Good news is that month 2 of the season starts right away on Friday (and then Saturday).

What could the CBJ do to improve?

1. Split up the goaltending duties more evenly. I'm not advocating for a 50/50 split, I'm talking about a 65/35 or 60/40. In the first month Elvis got 2 of 11 starts (19%). Korpi has never been a starter. Thus, he hasn't seen this much work all at once. I know that Korpi did serve as the emergency starter when Bob was injured a few years back, but there was not the pressure of being the true #1. Giving him more scheduled rest and also providing Elvis more regular work could benefit both.

2. Make a move for scoring sooner rather than later. CBJ have cap space. If there is the desire to take on a rental with a short contract term, the wise thing to do would be to bring them in as early as possible. I realize that may make the rental more expensive the early you try to pick them up, in theory it would also provide a greater impact.

I don't believe it is time to hit the panic button. On the contrary they should do everything they can to support a good start in order to continue improvement.

Next up...on the road against the reigning Stanley Cup Champions on Friday.

Good luck and Go Jackets!

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