For those keeping score it was the 6th time in 22 games the Jackets have surrendered 20 or more goals. They only did that 4 times in 82 games last season.
At this stage of the season that isn't an abnormality - that is a trend and I don't see a fix on the horizon anytime soon.
I will say this that when the Jackets fall apart they really fall apart. The good news is that after these types of games they have responded with solid outings the following game.
They won't have to wait long for that opportunity as they'll face off against the Canadiens tonight in Montreal.
YELLOW
* At least this loss happened away instead of at home.
* Umm.. Commodore had a nice hit.
* Glad Vermette is okay... that hit looked nasty and I was surprised to see him get up. Dude's a hockey player.
* The first 10 minutes were good. Too bad the game is 60.
RED
* The defensive play of this team was absolutely atrocious. Mase was bad but not all the goals were his fault. The Jackets were handing out odd man rushes like turkey on Thanksgiving... The forwards, especially the top line, did not do their jobs defensively. Simple things like positioning and line changes were dysfunctional.
* Worst game of the year for Rick Nash who finished a -4 and outside of a few plays couldn't get much goin.
* Once the Rangers decided to play after that timeout the Jackets had absolutely nothing for them. I still can't get over the number of odd man rushes they gave up and unforced turnovers... The Jackets just flat out stopped playing.
* This game was Nash vs. Gaborik.... with 2g, 2a and a +3 we know who won that game within the game. The Jackets did about the worst job you could do containing this player.
* So the Rangers played such a perfect game that they took only 1 minor penalty?
* Not that it mattered in the scheme of things but that "goaltender interference" call on Rick Nash at the end of the 3rd period should get someone fired. Apparently having the puck and making a play on the net is no longer allowed in this league -- furthermore if you get checked into the goalie while making said play it's a automatic penalty. I get protecting the goalie but you can't penalize a guy on a scoring opportunity who then gets checked into the goalie -- it's a hockey play.
* 7 damn goals against.. The Jackets are now 28th in the league allowing 76 goals against... I would officially like to hear everyone in the organization recognize that there is a serious problem in their own zone here. I don't expect any moves so let's start by going back to a Hejda-Commodore #1 shutdown pairing and go from there.
* Gotta agree with everyone whose said you know it's a long night when your 4th line is your best line.
3 BRIGHT LIGHTS ON THE NIGHT
1. Jared Boll
2. Derek MacKenzie
3. Raffi Torres
As I always say you can't let 1 loss become 2 and spiral out of control. The Jackets have to quickly learn from this game and put it behind them.
They'll get a Montreal team tonight who has been just average going 11-11-1 thus far. They are losers of their past 1 and have a 6-5-1 record at home. The are kind of similar to the Rangers in that they play a fast game but with Markov out they don't have the puck-movers on the backend that the Rangers had.
The Jackets cannot get into a track meet. They can't allow Montreal's forwards to get behind them. Garon needs to play like he's been and stop the shots he should. No more gimmies from the goaltender or the defense who hung both Mase and Garon out to dry often last night.
Big picture this was just one loss in 3 straight road games. There are still 2 games left on this trip and they are still 5 games above .500 in pretty good shape. Don't look now but the Predators are now tied with the Jackets in the standings as they've won 6 in row and have 27 points. The 'hawks are rolling with 7 wins in a row and 32 points. The Jackets just can't afford any extended losing streaks and remain in the hunt -- it's gonna be that way all year long.
Imagine if this team could play the defense like they did last year to go with the offense they are generating this year? They need to pull that together starting tonight in Montreal.
GO JACKETS!!
-LTL
