First, apologies for my absence and the lack of blogs around here for the last several days. Obviously I missed the opportunity to talk about some good things as the Jackets downed New Jersey and Toronto Tuesday and Friday respectively before dropping a 4 - 3 decision to Anaheim yesterday. The loss to Anaheim halted the Jackets three game winning streak but Columbus, at 5 - 6 on the campaign, is just outside the top-eight in the East.
Instead of talking about each game individually, I'll brush on several points I noticed over the last three games.
Secondary Scoring
With 10 points in 10 contests, Marian Gaborik is doing his part offensively for Columbus. But for Columbus to remain within range of an elusive playoff berth the Jackets were going to need to get scoring from other sources. Over the last three games the club has gotten just that.
Brandon Dubinsky has five points (2-3-5) over the last three games and is the de facto leader on the team. When and if Todd Richards decides to award the "C" I'd be surprised if Dubi doesn't get it.
James Wisniewski also has posted five points (1-4-5) over the past three contests. He is currently second on the team with nine points.
Artem Anisimov and Nick Foligno have each recorded three points with AA tallying two goals and Foligno two helpers during that span.
Over their last four contests Columbus averaged 3.75 goals for and much of that has been a result of contributions from complementary scoring options. The Jackets need more of that type of production.
Sergei Bobrovsky
Statistically speaking, Bob didn't have his best game Sunday, allowing four goals on 32 shots against. But prior to that Bob had held the opposition to just three goals on 50 shots. Without question he is the most important player on the roster. When he is on the Jackets are a good club. When he isn't as good Columbus struggles.
Nathan Horton
Horton appeared on a recent Jackets television broadcast to give an update on his rehab and to provide insights on the team. His rehab is progressing on schedule but he's still a ways away from a return. It still appears Horton won't make his Columbus debut until late November or perhaps December.
One thing I enjoyed hearing was how much Horton is enjoying his time around the team. Obviously he misses being on the ice but Columbus has done a good job of introducing Horton to the organization. Often when a player is injured and expected to be out for a while he is kept away from the team. That's not what the Jackets are doing with Horton and it should help the winger familiarize himself with his teammates, his coaches and the team's system. When he is ready to lace 'em up that familiarity should pay off on the ice.
Brandon Dubinsky's Hit On Koivu
Late in the second period Sunday, Dubinsky lined up Saku Koivu and laid him out with a hard check. Koivu was hurt on the play and despite no call being made initially, Dubinsky was assessed a five minute major for interference and a game misconduct. The NHL has already announced Dubinsky will not face supplemental discipline for the hit.
I watched the replay several times and I have to agree with the league for not penalizing Dubinsky further. In fact, I have a hard time understanding why the officials assessed any infraction on Dubinsky.
Dubinsky did hit Koivu after the Ducks center released the puck but it was soon enough that I don't feel interference was the proper call. He kept his shoulder down and it didn't even appear he contacted Koivu's head. Certainly the head was not the principal point of contact.
What might have caused the linesman to think the hit was illegal was the fact that Dubinsky did appear to rise up, though he didn't leave his feet. His elbow also followed through on the hit and it could have been viewed that the elbow contacted Koivu. But if either of those was the case then why wasn't the call charging or elbowing?
I respect Koivu as a player and for what he has overcome in his playing career. I certainly don't want to see him or any player get hurt but I just don't think Dubinsky's hit was dirty nor do I think he should have been penalized on the play. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately based on your point of view, the league's crackdown on head shots is likely to result in penalty calls for clean hits as well as for illegal checks. That appears to me to be what happened yesterday.
Here's what Dubinsky had to say of the hit:
"I was just going to finish my check. I know he moved the puck, but it was less than a second between him moving the puck and the hit actually happening. I thought I hit him square and there was no malicious intent behind it. The refs didn't have the call...the linesman made the call and they said he made the call. I'm not a dirty player; I play the game honest. I went out there to make a body check, not to injure Koivu."
Up Next
Columbus is off for the next four days before returning to the ice Friday night in Pittsburgh where they will face the Penguins. Pittsburgh is 7-4-0 on the season so far and holds a three point cushion over Carolina for first place in the Metro Division. Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins in scoring with eight goals and 18 points.
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