The Blackhawks said they would empty their tanks and that is exactly what they did.... and there wasn't a damn thing the Jackets could do to stop it.
Heck if it weren't for Garon who knows how ugly this game could have really gotten.
Who else found themselves envious of the 'hawks mobility on defense? That team can win the cup if their goaltending holds up... no question about it.
STOPLIGHT GAME REVIEW
@ Chicago
01.14.10
SCORE: Chicago 3 Jackets 0
GREEN
* You know I'm going to give Garon a green because I really believe he did all he could do to keep the Jackets in this game. Sure the Byfuglien goal he'd probably like to have back but his good far outweighed his bad.
* Hitch gave the minutes to the young guys. Russell with 20+... Voracek with 16+... Brassard with 15+...
* Speaking of Brass. Despite the butt kicking he looked the most confident and effective than I've seen this entire season in this game.
YELLOW
* Only took two minors this entire game and the PK didn't allow a goal.
RED
* Where to start? I guess in summary the Jackets were outclassed by a much better team this entire game. Really it's amazing they only lost by 3. The Jackets have lost in a lot of bad ways this season but there were stints where the 'hawks made them look like a junior varsity team out there -- it was that lopsided.
* Like this team, Nash has tuned out and his confidence is shot. Not sure he is going to recover the rest of this season. Perhaps the Olympics can get him going. I'm watching another former #1 pick in Patrick Kane dominate the ice everytime he's on it and wondering where that kind of play is from our captain? More envy.
* Shutout for the first time this season.
* There is a whole lot more but what's the point.
3 BRIGHT LIGHTS ON THE NIGHT
1 Taylor Hall still within grasp!
2. Garon
3. Hitch for giving in and giving the young guys their minutes.
I thought for a bit that this may be Hitch's last game behind the Jackets bench... Then I thought some more and if Hitch hasn't been canned yet then I don't see that happening this season. I mean what's another loss at this stage right?
The Jackets didn't gain much ground on the #1 overall pick sweepstakes. As I said though the key for the tank is to finish in the bottom 3 as that is where the top talent seems to be. They are still 4 points above that line but 2 of those team still have 3 games in hand.
Sad it comes to that but that is where this team finds itself and if we want this team to have a quick rebound next year a top 3 pick could be a huge piece of that puzzle -- especially as a trading chip for legit #1 center/dmen help.
The Jackets are right back at it tomorrow against these same Blackhawks in a matine. Unfortunately I expect the same results.
Per usual I will be watchin to see if these cowboys in blue can find a way to fend off these indians.
-LTL
