Hey.. nothin quite like a Danny Gare throwback to start off a post eh?
Raffi "sweet as taffy" Torres with two big goals to propel the Jackets to a win over a team they have had a tough time beating of late -- the St. Louis Blues.
Lots off good things in this game... and some bad. Let's get to it.
STOPLIGHT GAME REVIEW
vs ST. Louis
01.18.10
SCORE: Jackets 4 Blues 2
GREEN
* "Even Ray Charles could see that one!!"... That from a CBJ fan after a blatant missed call.. Nothing gets me goin like a creative well timed one-liner from the faithful!
* Okay.. on to the game. Got to start with Raffi Torres... He got the Jackets a big goal after falling down a goal off a quick wrist shot that he somehow was able to stay with after it pin balled around a bit.. He also got a bit off a gift on the 2nd goal.. but he still was in the right spot at the right time and made no mistake putting that deflected feed from Brass home. He is now 2nd on the team with 16 big ones.
* Speaking of Brassard I think this kid has found his game.. By FAAAAR his best game this season. Kid should have had more than 1 assist.. but it was good to see him playing with confidence and generating offense all night long. Whatever light has gone off in his game needs to stay lit for a long LONG time! He played 18 shifts for 14:27.. was tied for Torres with a team high 5 shots.. had one blocked shot, 1 hit, 1 take away, was a +2 and finished 10 for 12 in the dot... THAT my friends is a complete game! My only beef was he is getting beat in the corners more often that not but he is getting better in that area .
* Not to be out done was Kris Russell.. he also seems to be putting things together more consistently of late. I can't stress enough how much better he is when he uses that speed of his to transport the puck. Not many players in the NHL can keep up with that speed. He is utilizing it much better and making great decisions on when to use it. It is really helping to generate offense from the backend.
* I see absolutely no reason why Mathieu Roy should be scratched again this season. When he plays he either the best or 2nd best dman in the lineup. Such was the case again last night. He collected two helpers, played a team high 24:24 and finished +2... That is outstanding for a guy that has come out of nowhere this season. Me thinks someone has earned himself a 1-way contract from some NHL team this offseason. Personally I really like the grit this guy brings on the backend and he is just playing a solid mistake free game out there.
* Rick Nash is officially out of his funk. He collected a timely PP goal after St. Louis has scored. Need more offense from the big guy. I do think his line has been more effective without Juice on it.
* Which brings me to my next point. Great to see the 3rd line generate a goal and a much needed one at that for Chris Clark who got his first as a Jacket. Contrary to what the radio guys said about Pahlsson and Clark having chemistry I think it's Juice who has helped. With guys like Clark and Pahlsson on his line who play an straight line no frills game Juice can free style a bit and just look to get pucks to the net. With Nash I think he may have been trying too hard to get him pucks which hurt both of their games. We'll see if that theory holds up through this road trip.
* I have liked Pahlsson's game more of late... he playing much more physical and had a team high 5 hits. Would still like to see him create more offensively.
* 3 even strength goals.
* The PP with a clutch timely goal.. and even though it didn't produce a goal I like how Stralman got back to launching the one-timers. Heck I think Voracek even got one off. Need more of that to get the PP back on track.
* How about that 'A' on Dorsett's jersey? Apparently he is a strong voice in the room and has been added to the leadership group. Good for him.
* A win for the home crowd which is always good. Especially coming off that loss to the 'hawks and especially b/c it shut up the obnoxious pair of Blues fans behind me who didn't stop running their traps all game long.
* Crowd for the RAFFI! RAFFI! chant trying to encourage Hitch to put out Torres for the empty net hat trick at the end of the game.
* Can't end the greens without acknowledging Garon's play. There were a number of saves he made where I looked at my buddy and said... "I don't think Mason makes that save right now"...
* To my in-laws for carrying the flag and making their annual trip to a game. I'm slowly but surely producing two new fans. Although lately it's "what in the hell is wrong with the Jackets?" whenever we chat....
YELLOW
* Hejda had a tough night. Some bobbled pucks and a couple sloppy plays.
* Same for Andrew Murray... he did draw a penalty but also took a bad one and generally struggled to get much going.
* I didn't get a good look but certainly heard Boll slam the boards hard in the 2nd.
* I've been diggin on Game Ops hard of late (still fuming over that Blackhawks bit) but they were very good with the replays... probably the most I've ever seen and to me it helps keep folks engaged with the game tremendously. They also showed a lot of the fans which is the way it should be.
RED
* Damn Tkachuk with a goal.
* Two things I'll question Hitch on. 1. Why not put Raffi out to close out the game? He's a veteran who is responsible defensively so why not try for the hat trick? 2. Again he showed his unwillingness to go for the kill when he put both Hejda and Roy out there on the PP late in the 3rd period. Instead of pushing for another goal he chooses to sit back on a lead which we've all seen vanish this year. He got the two points which was the goal but how many points have we lost either in regulation or OT/SO from that same strategy this season?
* Commodore was lethargic once again... just no energy to his game at all.
* Tyutin with his first missed game in two seasons as a Jacket. Lots of opinions on him but one thing no one can deny is his durability.
* Game ops decision to put Blues fans on the ice for the 2nd intermission fun. Tell me why away fans should be given anything other than a receipt for their paid tickets?
3 BRIGHT LIGHTS ON THE NIGHT
1 Torres with two!
2. Brassard comin around.
3. Contribution from the 3rd line including Clark's first as a Jacket.
The Jackets won't get much time to enjoy this one as they'll kick off a 3 game roadie in Philly tonight.
According to Matt the Mask he calculate the Jackets will need to go 24-4-3 to hit 94 points and sneak into the playoffs.
I know I know.. thanks for pissing in my cheerios LTL!
-LTL
