What a gong-show at home it has been in the new year for the Union Blue. Between the major losing skid and an upset over a Metro foe, there is no telling the identities of the team on the ice nightly.

Starting with the humiliation with Calgary, the final score was 6-0, with nothing working whatsoever for Columbus. Allowing 62 shots should never happen, let alone in the modern NHL. This shows the state of one of the weakest and youngest defensive groups, and could hurt the rentals nearing March 20th.

This same team then upsets the Rangers and the breadman 5-3.

The Blue Shirts and Artemi Panarin opened the scoring with his 12th of the season. Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren has the helpers. Barclay Goodrow added to the Rangers lead with his 9th of the season. Braden Schneider and Panarin had the extra points.

Gustav Nyquist cut the shutout with his 11th of the season. The Swede’s tip was aided by Patrik Laine and captain Boone Jenner. The Boone brought the game to even with his 17th of the campaign off the power play; Zach Werenski and Oliver Bjorkstrand had the helpers. Sean Kuraly’s tip brought the Jackets to keep their lead in the game with his 7th; Max Domi and Werenski contributed to the goal. Jenner’s second and 18th doubled the Jackets lead; Laine had the lone helper point.

Mika Zibanejad cut the lead to 4-3 with his 16th of the campaign; Panarin and Schneider got the bonus.

Kuraly potted and empty netter for his second and 8th of his Columbus career; Werenski with the third assist of the night.

This concludes the season series between New York and Columbus, with a 2-1 series win for the Rangers, who outscored the Jackets 12-8.

Joonas Korpisalo stopped 33 of 36 shots for a 0.917 save percentage; Alex Georgiev stopped 14 of 18 for a 0.778 save percentage.

CBJ Three Stars of the Game

1. Boone Jenner— 2G (18), 1PPG/1GWG; assist (12); +3; 6 hits

2. Zach Werenski— 3 assists (19); +1; 1BLK; 21:39 TOI

3. Sean Kuraly— 2 goals (8)



There is just no consistency to this team, and without Torts, there’s no identity besides them in a build to the future. Presently, it’s losses again at teams they shouldn’t lose to; embarrassments against the best; and the occasionally “let’s try hard” against a team here and there. This team is a seller. Trade deadline ahead for futures. The time is later.


More to come…

Join the Discussion: » 4 Comments » Post New Comment

» Be the GM — Jiricek

» CBJ Hockey Fights Cancer Night Goes High Scoring

» Hit List - Johnson, Lindstrom, Jiricek, Olivier  

» CBJ G17 @ Montreal Canadiens — On the Road Again

» CBJ G16 v Pittsburgh Penguins — Crosby Watch; Letang Illness