Some of you are probably wondering.... What in the hell is that?
Well THAT is what you see when you've had too many of these bad boys:
Courage Beer... It's what your right arm's for! Seriously, that was their slogan. You can't make this stuff up!
As for the game, the Dallas Stars used both arms and pretty much wrapped up the Jackets in this one. Especially in that 3rd period.
1. The Jackets were absolutely pounded in the first period by the Stars. They were lucky to get out of there only down 2-0. Then early in the 2nd the Stars made it 3-0. I'm sure I'm not the only one who thought -- GAME. OVER. But the Jackets pushed back in the 2nd and actually took advantage of some PPs to close the gap to one. At that point I'm sure I'm not the only who thought. WE HAVE A GAME. After that 2nd period though the Stars showed us how you close out a game and pretty much suffocated the Jackets into their 33rd loss of the season.
2. Want an example of just how bad the season has really been? The Jackets finished with the 7th worst record in the NHL last season which by most teams standards is a terrible year which would have significant consequences. That year they had 35 total losses in 82 games. Through 54 games this season they already have 33 losses. No matter how often I look at those numbers I'm just stunned. How can we be THAT bad? And then I think, how is it possible jobs are safe after we have been THAT bad?
3. Well Vinny Prospal got a goal which was good to see. I was thinkin today... You know what we should really be thanking for Prospal being in this organization? Juice's pectoral muscle.
4. Where has this PP been all year!? I'll tell ya, the PP looked fantastic in this game. Puck movement was off the charts. It went 2-3 and finally did it's job to keep this team in a game. Notice that both Nash and Carter were split even on the PP.
5. I know Nash got a goal which was a nice finish of some great puck movement from Tyutin and Brass... But did anyone else catch his lazy back check which lead directly to the Stars 2nd goal? He completely let up in his own zone which allowed a Star to walk right down the slot wide open and get off the shot that put Methot out of the game (and perhaps the rest of the year). I watch that play from the high angle replay and think --- no wonder this guy is -23 (which btw is now tied for the worst in the league). His ass should be stapled to the bench for plays like that. The fact he constantly gets a pass for lazy plays like this sets the example for everyone else in this lineup. "Look, Nash gets away with it..!"
6. Ryan Johansen may not be getting any experience at the moment (he must really be in the TR doghouse if he can't even crack this lineup) but John Moore sure is. With Methot out, all the Dman had to shoulder a bigger load... But none more so than Moore who led all Jackets with 26:34 in ice time. He was a -2 but had 3 shots, 2 hits and 1 block. This guy is one of the very few bright spots from this season. He does not look out of place and is getting better by the game.
EXTRA SHOTS:
Methot with a broken jaw and Boll out with a broken ankle. Tough "breaks" (is this thing on?). Nash should personally spoon feed Methot who won't be able to eat solids for a while. The Jackets were a collective -21 lead by Tyutin's -3. Tells you a little something about our 5 on 5 play. Colton Gillies was credited with TEN hits! The Jackets as a whole out hit the Stars 34 to 12. Sanford played decent again stopping 31 of 34 shots --- he has some real good saves on Ryder and Eriksson. The Jackets remain 11 spots behind 29th placed Edmonton. They are 14 points behind 28th placed Carolina. 15,943 credited for attendance which is very impressive given the state of this team. Bettman in the house and once again acknowledged the protest (or as he called it "pep rally"). Check out his comments here and here. Tonight, he got a first hand look at why we are frustrated -- now multiply that times 11 years.
Next up is @ Minnesota on Saturday night @ 8:00 PM EST. That will be a must win for the Wild. Will there be any player movement by then? Stay tuned.
-LTL
