What I've learned from yet another shootout loss is that the Jackets are incapable of doing more than one thing well at a time. After struggling to keep a wiffle ball out of their own net they seemed to have corrected that issue only allowing 1 regulation goal in the past two games. In fact they've only allowed 6 regulation goals in the past 4 games.
The problem now has turned to an offense that is as dry as a martini. They now have scored a total of just 14 goals in their past 10 games. That works out to an average of 1.4 goals a game. Their powerplay has cooled more than the weather. There isn't one offensive player on the Jackets that is on any kind of roll.
What is it with this squad? Why can't they put it together? They dominated every part of this game except for the most important part - the scoreboard.
STOPLIGHT GAME REVIEW
@ NYI
12.29.09
SCORE: Islanders 2 Jackets 1 (SO)
GREEN
* Want to start off by giving Hitch credit for benching a veteran in Commodore. I really can't say I missed him. I will say that this should just be a start as he isn't the only veteran under-performing. I'd like to see more messages like these sent. Play who deserves it and bench who doesn't regardless of contract or name on the back to the jersey. Let's close Club Jacket for good.
* Who put ants in RJ's pants in the 3rd period? Me thinks he got challenged at the 2nd intermission. He really came out throwing his weight around and his work paid off when he got the tying goal. He took a nasty hit - more on that in a minute.
* The Jackets did everything well but score friggan goals. They were strong in their own zone... controlled the majority of they play. They just didn't do enough to outwork Roloson who once again had the Jackets numbers. They did catch some breaks with shots off posts.
* Anton Vermette was a beast defensively. He had a tremendous backcheck mid-way through the game and then made another great play in his own zone on the PK that saved a goal. Like all the forwards he's struggling offensively but his defense get's him a green for this one.
* I LOVED the fact Mathieu Roy jumped in to stand up for his teammate in RJ Umberger after he got smashed. You don't let shots like that go unanswered and the message that sends to your teammates is worth a 2 minute minor any day. It's plays like that bring a team closer together and it's plays like that slowly bring a team out of this slump. Good on him.
* While the PP is slumping the PK is on fire. It didn't allow a PP goal including killing off an extended 5 on 3 chance. Did anyone else notice that Hitch put Huselius out on the kill?
* Speaking of Juice.... he was buzzing in the game more than I've seen from him in quite some time and was creating chances. Now about this being great at shootouts deal.... ugh.
* The Lord family for not only making the trip to the game from Columbus... but also for all the great pics they shared!
YELLOW
* Mase would have been a green if it wasn't for his gaffe on the Islanders only regulation goal. What I did like was his short memory and how quickly he rebounded to turn in another solid performance. This team has got to give this kid some friggan support in the shootout.
* First impressions of the new guys. I'll give both a couple of games to get acclimated before really praising/grilling but here were my initial thoughts.
Clark didn't do anything really good or bad. His first period was his best and then he faded. He meshed okay with the Swedes. Hitch threw him in there for 13:49 and he had a shot and a hit. I expect a whole lot more from him and that 2.6 mil as he get's used to the system and his teammates.
Jurcina had a pretty damn good debut. You could tell the guy was workin hard and I really liked his physical play. I also liked his decision making when he jumped up in the play. Hitch threw him out there for 21:37 and he had a team high 5 shots and 4 blocked shots. He did seem to be sucking wind pretty hard on some of those shifts. The key with him will be if he can keep that level of play up night in and night out.
* Better game from Torres. He was pesky and noticable. Also was a lot more responsible with the puck.
* The PP continues to gain the zone well with puck possession and move it quickly but just can't buy one.
* Nash had his moments. He got whacked on the thumb pretty bad there.. hope it's not broken. He's got to be the guy that sparks this offense to get it back on track.
* They did get a point and they did avoid being shutout. 1 point a game ain't gonna be good enough to get back in the hunt however.
RED
* Can the Jackets just decline the shootout? Is it possible to be any more inept? I don't even want to think about the points that have been lost thus far b/c this team is incapable of scoring one on one. Somebody get me Balastik on a 1-way flight to Port Columbus to teach this group how to score a friggan shottout goal.
* 1 goal is not going to get it done. They are getting their shots.. A lot were perimeter shots in this game.. but I'm of the opinion it's never a bad play to put pucks on net. They just aren't getting them to fall... The Jackets are going to have to work harder and get even more traffic....
* The Jackets inability to do more than one thing well at once. If they could ever get the offense and defense goin at the same time perhaps they could put together a decent run.
* Derick Brassard is one broken player. His confidence is absolutely shot and he is fighting it every shift. His game may not recover until next season which again is the biggest surprise of the season for me. I had this kid pegged for a huge year.
* An emailer pointed this out and I couldn't agree more... Why does a guy like Freddy Modin get a pass for not hitting anyone yet other guys who play a more finess game get benched for not being more "weighty"? This dude is 6-4 214 pounds! He had plenty of opportunities to line someone up but passed. That is the double standard by Hitch that has to drive young players on this team absolutely bonkers.
* What was with all the delay of game penalties? ..and why do the Jackets tend to make every goalie look like Brodeur?
3 BRIGHT LIGHTS ON THE NIGHT
1. Mathieu Roy sticking up for his teammates.
2. Jurcina with a solid debut as a Jacket.
3. Lord family carrying the flag!
On to New Year's Eve and another date with Darth. Let's see if they can figure out between now and then how to walk and chew gum at the same time.
-LTL
