Les Habi-nots on Gainey Night

The setting was surreal, the atmosphere electric and it got even better when one of Montreal’s finest skated onto the ice prior to the game. Bob Gainey, former player and current general manager of the Canadiens, had his number 23 retired during a pre-game ceremony at the Bell Centre, and it even brought tears to the eyes of good friend Ken Hitchcock.

It was then, however, that the pleasantries stopped.

The Blue Jackets checked and chopped their way to a 3-0 win in front of 21,273 (likely more), earning goaltender Pascal Leclaire his league-leading ninth shutout. All of this in his first start as a pro in Montreal, a short drive from his hometown in Repentigny, Quebec.

Leclaire was in early-season form tonight, challenging shooters from the tip of the crease and working his lightning-quick legs to perfection. He made 31 saves, but most impressively stood tall when the Canadiens embarked on a 1:10 two-man advantage in the second period. For a guy who sends every puck from a shutout back home to his parents, he need not even buy a stamp for this one. He’ll see them in the runway after the game.

Rick Nash scored his 33rd goal of the year to open the scoring, and winger Andrew Murray added his fourth just minutes later as the Blue Jackets jumped to an early 2-0 lead. Montreal, owners of the league’s #1 power play unit, failed to convert on six chances including a 5-on-3 for over a minute. Manny Malhotra scored his sixth goal of the year with just over three minutes left–his first goal in 27 games.

Sergei Fedorov did not return to the ice for the third period, suffering from an apparent leg injury. The leg best heal quickly, as the trading deadline looms just three days from now.

As was the story in Ottawa Thursday night, the Blue Jackets’ defensive-zone coverage was spectacular. It was the reason they won the game. Outshot for the fourth time in five games, the Columbus defensemen had sticks in passing lanes all night long, forcing the high-flying Canadiens to play on the wing. For a team so dangerous between the circles, it was the buzzsaw.

Michael Peca, despite taking a couple of early lazy penalties, was very good and saw extended ice time. He was instrumental in keeping Montreal off the board on the power play, and made a deft pass across the goalmouth to set up Nash’s goal in the first period.

The hallmark of their game throughout the season, the Blue Jackets were unquestionably the more physical team on the ice. Adam Foote and Jan Hejda played the Kovalev line physically and intelligently, and quickly moved the puck from scoring areas. Jared Boll and Andrew Murray provided solid support behind the net and along the wall, also.

What a thrill, though, for Pascal Leclaire. Twenty-five family members and friends in attendance tonight, many of whom seeing Pascal in live action for the first time, and he delivers. Job well done.

The Blue Jackets are off until Wednesday when the San Jose Sharks visit Columbus. Former Blue Jacket Jody Shelley makes his first appearance in Nationwide Arena since his Jan. 29 trade, and it will surely be a spirited and emotional contest.

–Rob Mixer

rm234405@ohio.edu

Sens Game and #45 in Teal

The Blue Jackets came up huge tonight. Words can’t describe the win. If we lost, it’s more than safe to say that our last gasp for the playoffs would have been gone. But we won. We beat the top team in the Eastern Conference and quite possibly the league, in their house. Lets beat Detroit 5-1 and Ottawa 3-2 on the road, but lets lose to LA at home, and Toronto on the road.

Zherdev, Brule, Fedorov, Nash, I could go on and on.. everyone played a very solid game tonight. Defense came up huge. That could be the best game Foote-Hejda have played all season. Tarnstrom is doing more than I thought he would, lets re-sign this guy… please?

Looking Ahead

To Montreal. Saturday night, game time has been set to 7:30 instead of 7:00 for ceremonial activity for Gainey I believe. I’m not sure, but I think that’s how I heard it.

This game, IS our season. If we lose, we are going to be sellers. If we win, I still think we will sell but trade for guys that can help start to build the team for next season.

We ARE alive, but not so much kicking. As it stands, teams have to play anywhere from 2-4 more games than us. Teams such as St. Louis, Vancouver and Colorado. We play Vancouver once, St. Louis and Nashville two times each.

If the Jackets’ do their part and win those games, we can only hope the teams that have games in hand lose those games. If that happens, well, I’ll leave you hanging on that…

Off Topic- Watching NHL Network, I see Shelley skating to the box after a fight with Cote. He’s chatting with the ref, while pulling a tooth out and having a little chuckle about it. Gets in the box, sits down and just tosses his tooth on the ground as if nothing happened. Looking forward to you coming home on the 27th, Jody.

-Ryan McNamara

Maybe Newton Can Figure Us Out

Ha, doubt it.

I don’t even know what’s wrong and to be honest, I don’t really care. It’s obvious they don’t care about the playoffs, or even scoring goals for that matter. So why should I, or any fan for that matter?

We are playing one of the league worst penalty-killing teams, and they make us force stupid little perimeter shots. I feel like I’m watching pee-wee hockey on FSN Ohio. Do they really need a 17 year old kid to tell them what they are doing wrong? Can they not see perimeter shots do no good at all on the powerplay? How about a shot from the point with traffic in front, if you consider that a perimeter shot then so be it. How about cycle it down low and behind the net? No, that’s overrated! We want to let Klesla and Hainsey try their hardest only to get a stupid little pee-wee perimeter shot off from the boards. Then it gets stopped in front of the net, and sent down the ice. Whew, NEXT!

Zherdev SCORES! Tick.. tick.. tick.. umm, tick.. well, theres 60 minutes for ya. One goal against the Maple Leafs. Professional hockey team, yeah, but it’s the Maple Leafs. I guess it’s no longer that much different if I just say “we are the Blue Jackets.” Nothing intimidating, not even Nash as much as he used to be.

Here’s to the next six days and tomorrows talkcast with Danny Gare. Enjoy the horrible nights sleep and the suffering the Jackets have once again placed upon the fans of Columbus, ugh.

-Ryan McNamara

Rick Comes Home

Tonight’s game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Toronto Maple Leafs presents an interesting set of circumstances for the visiting squad. Coming off a putrid effort Sunday night in St. Louis, the Blue Jackets will look to exploit one of the league’s worst defensive teams and get back on track.

Left winger Rick Nash, born and raised in nearby Brampton, returns to the place where his hockey dreams budded as a young kid. While it’s not the iconic Maple Leaf Gardens, the Air Canada Centre faithful will be looking forward to witnessing one of the NHL’s best young players. If things go as normal in such situations, #61 should have a pretty good night.

Pascal Leclaire in net for the Blue Jackets. Hopefully, his defense gives him an easier night than in St. Louis, where the young netminder was peering through mutiple sets of legs on nearly every shot.

Rookie right winger Jared Boll, out recently with bronchitis, will return to the lineup tonight. Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reported today that Boll practiced on a line with winger Andrew Murray and center Manny Malhotra. Will he look for a scrap tonight in his first game back? Leaf forward Darcy Tucker, who’s on a pretty good offensive clip of late (6 goals in five games), may be a good dance partner. Both are similiar molded players and will likely get under each other’s skin quickly.

The top line of Nash, Sergei Fedorov and Fredrik Modin will have to be better tonight. While Fedorov’s transition game was sorely missed in his absence, he is not yet to game speed. His defensive presence in the middle will open up more space for Modin and Nash to work down low, something that the Blue Jackets must do well in order to have success.

REMINDER: The next “Fire the Cannon” podcast on Hockeybuzz.com will feature Blue Jackets color analyst Danny Gare, tomorrow night at 7 pm. You can use the call-in information on Eric Smith’s blog, or email myself or him with questions.

–Rob Mixer

rm234405@ohio.edu

Trouble Brewed

It’s not very often that you can say the Columbus Blue Jackets have embarked on a very important road trip. Having dismantled the Detroit Red Wings just two nights before, using common logic one could deduce that the Blue Jackets may be starting to build momentum. Where the encouraging victory would lead them, however, follows a common theme.

The Blues did not register a shot on goal in the third period against Nashville Saturday night, nor did they register a shot in the overtime period. They were completely dominated in the final stanza and more, and fell 2-1. Sunday’s game at home marked their third game in four nights. Columbus, flying the short trek from Detroit to St. Louis on Saturday, should have had a physical and mental advantage.

Nah. Think again.

The Blues probably would have checked the Blue Jackets in the pre-game skate if it were allowed, considering the way they flew out of the gate. They hit everything that breathed, and had a seemingly easy walk through the sixty minutes of tonight’s game, winning 5-1.

Don’t look now, but newly-named Blues captain Eric Brewer (yeah, say it: that Eric Brewer?) registered four assists in tonight’s game. The Blues shook off their offensive woes from Saturday night and used their league-worst power play to light up the league’s third-best penalty kill for three goals. It was the story of the night.

Pascal Leclaire got little help from his defensemen tonight. There were too many loose pucks in the slot, crease and countless failed clearing attempts that looked all but elementary. How the Blue Jackets can come off a game with so few mental mistakes and regurgitate a week’s worth into one game is a startling thought.

The highlights will reveal the nature of four of the five goals scored by the Blues. Poor quality shots, deflections and/or plays that should have been erased by the Blue Jackets’ defense. Andy MacDonald’s third period breakaway goal on a power play speaks for itself. How they could allow a breakaway on a power play is senseless. Either they just brain-farted, or they’re really starting to like coach Ken Hitchcock’s forechecking policy.

I’ll take the former.

On the other hand, Rick Nash’s shorthanded goal was of a “fluke” nature as well. Where he came from, or how Jan Hejda’s clearing attempt found his stick are points for deep, ponderous thought. It made little difference in the grand scheme, as the Blue Jackets couldn’t draw many power plays of their own. Their lackluster offense has been bolstered only by their power play, which has began to heat up in the presence of a certain Dick Tarnstrom. The absence of their only relatively-potent weapon only caused more problems for them in this game.

The top line of Rick Nash-Sergei Fedorov-Fredrik Modin was the lone bright spot on the night for the Blue Jackets. Fedorov’s ability to transition the puck smoothly through the neutral zone was a sight for sore eyes, and his presence in the slot allowed Nash and Modin to work well in the corners and behind the net. If anything else, that line should steadily improve as it is most likely to remain intact for the foreseeable future. That is, barring any player movement…

Dan Fritsche didn’t seem too keen on scrapping with Barret Jackman late in the third period, but the Parma native gave the wily veteran a wake-up call. He did the right thing standing up for his goaltender, but it seemed to be poor judgmen by Jackman to drag it out in the late stages of a 5-1 game.

A very important note here. This Wednesday on the “Fire the Cannon” podcast on Hockeybuzz, Blue Jackets color analyst Danny Gare will join us at 7 pm. Be sure to send in questions to either myself or Eric, and use the call-in information to get into the show. Hope to see you in there.

–Rob Mixer

rm234405@ohio.edu

Signs of Life

Perhaps, I was wrong about being mentally out of the playoffs. But then again, Detroit was on a four game skid. But even again, it was the Detroit Red Wings, in the famous Joe Louis Arena. Bottom line, was the final score. Look at it from any perspective you want, scoresheet still says 5-1. On my monitor anyways.

I’m starting to feel bad about hopping off of the Modin wagon. This is the Modin I want to see night in, and night out. This is the Modin that had his glory days in Tampa Bay. He and Nash, if they can get a center, oh boy. Heads up to our opponent, whomever they may be that given night.

I think the hidden gem tonight that no one has really thought about because they are so wrapped up in the win itself, is the main man behind the bench who always stands with his arms crossed. If you play Hitch’s style, you will win. I would love to know what Hitch said to the boys after that, well, lets just say, loss to Chicago. Tonight, was the first time we looked like the team that played the first month of the season. Boy, the timing is late, but couldn’t have been any better. Tonight was a must win game. Almost every game, from here on out, is a must win.

Don’t get me wrong, I never said the season was over. I’m not saying we are back alive and well, either. One game doesn’t mean that much, we’ll see what happens Sunday in St. Louis, when Fedorov is expected to return.

-Ryan McNamara

Any Buyers?

Well, it looks as if this season has very well gone down the drain. Statistically, we are not eliminated. Mentally and physically, we are. Tonight was a must win. We didn’t even get a good shift in.

The only positives were Tarnstrom’s first and Nash’s drive to the net in the second period when the game was far out of reach.

Well, lets start with Fedorov. A lot of “Fedorov to Ottawa” speculation. I actually would be excited to see him play for them in the playoffs. I think he would be a very good fit for them. He can man the point on the PP, he can play on the PK and at even strength. Fedorov can’t score like he used to, but he is still the smart player he always has been. I wouldn’t mind sending him to Ottawa at all. I would enjoy Vermette more than anyone else coming back here. I wonder if Ottawa is willing to give up a young star for Fedorov, are they that hungry this year? We can only hope so.

What to do with Michael Peca? I say trade him away. I think Buffalo would take a look at him or maybe even Montreal. They supposedly had interest in Fedorov a while back. I can see Peca going to a lot of places. Anaheim being another. If we trade him, wherever he goes, we better get a player(s) in return. Not picks, or prospects. I like Roy out in Buffalo. Higgins out in Montreal (as well as a lot of others) and Pahlsson out in Anaheim. Sammy is having a rough year, but look at Lupul in Philly. All it takes is a trade.

I can see Vyborny WANTING to play with Jagr out in New York. I think that a lot of people in Columbus would be happy to see our dear Vyborny get back on track with a guy he knows well. I would be happy, at least. I love the guy. I don’t care if he is struggling. He’s been here since day one. His attitude is always positive, you can never possibly say anything negative about David Vyborny unless it’s the way he’s playing the game. No one is perfect. If we sent Vyborny to New York, I would like to see Hainsey go with him for Prucha and Callahan, Dubinsky or Dawes.

This summer Howson will, wait, let me refrain that. This summer, Howson should have a lot of money to spend in the market.

I would love to see him swing a big time deal. More than big time. I’m talking blockbuster folks. I’m talking, Vinny out in Tampa Bay. I mean, swing a huge deal for this guy unless there is a true, proven number one center in the market that would play well with Nash.

I see Kovy playing with Hossa and Heatley playing with Alfy, both left wingers tearing it up. You see our Nash with uhh.. Malhotra and Novotny? Come on Howson.

-Ryan McNamara

Help Wanted

The past week has not been the best for the Blue Jackets. The embarrassment at home to Minnesota, the frustrating loss in OT to the Capitals, the back-to-back solid road efforts in Phoenix and San Jose…the list goes on. The latest in a string of futility was the shootout loss at home to the league-worst Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.

Effort being a common denominator these days in the NHL, there was nothing common about the Blue Jackets’ effort. Facing a goaltender with a sub-.900 save percentage in the minor leagues, they managed to pot two goals and only one in the shootout. Their shots were not of legitimate quality, nor was their normally exceptional forecheck up to par.

Pascal Leclaire, on the other hand, had to get into the game quickly. The Kings scored under a minute into the game, and after that, one had to wonder if the Blue Jackets would ever recover. Fortunately, they did for a brief stretch. Following their stretch of rebirth, they went right back into solitude.

It’s a clear-cut need for the Blue Jackets: scoring.  Coach Ken Hitchcock said as much during his post-game news conference Sunday night. The team works harder and harder every night, yet they arrive at two goals. Usually, when this team scores three goals, they’re pretty tough to beat. Since the All-Star Break….

1/29 vs. PHX — 2 goals

1/31 at NSH — 2 goals

2/2 vs. MIN — 1 goal

2/5 vs. WSH — 3 goals

2/7 at PHX — 2 goals

2/8 at SJ — 1 goal

2/10 vs. LA — 2 goals

They’ve won once since the All-Star break. 1-4-2, a very humbling pace. They will have to win at least 15 of their remaining 24 games to get to 91 points, which may not be enough to squeak into the playoffs in the Western Conference.

This team needs a goal scorer, and they need it quick. The anemic offense is placing a serious burden on the goaltenders and the defense. It has to be in the back of their minds — one breakdown, and they will likely lose the game.

I will be on HockeyBuzz’s “Fire the Cannon” podcast tomorrow night at 6 pm, one hour before the Blue Jackets face the Chicago Blackhawks. Email me questions, or call the show at (724) 444-7444, call ID #11419.

On a much more serious note, Blue Jackets radio play-by-play guy George Matthews has left the team to deal with family issues back home. The few times I’ve spoken to Matthews, he’s been a great guy and more than happy to talk with me and teach me about the business.  George, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We hope for a safe and healthy return to the booth, we will sorely miss you in the coming weeks.

There’s nothing like “return to sender…what a tender!” to take the sting away from a loss.

–Rob Mixer

rm234405@ohio.edu

Chimera Signs Four-Year, $7.5 million Extension

According to the Columbus Dispatch, the Blue Jackets have signed left-winger Jason Chimera to a four-year contract extension through the 2011-12 season. At $7.5 million over the duration, the annual cap hit is $1.875 million.

This is an intriguing move by the Blue Jackets and GM Scott Howson. An unrestricted free agent at season’s end, many thought that Chimera would make an attractive piece at the deadline. More surprising and odd is the length of the deal- it’s the longest deal any Blue Jacket has received since Rick Nash’s five-year deal signed a couple of seasons ago. Do we put Jason Chimera on the same pedestal as Rick Nash now?

Chimera makes $1 million through this season, and if his new contract is a cap hit of anything more than $1.8 million per season, the Blue Jackets got robbed. Yes, he is the team’s third-leading goal scorer this year, but he has nine goals. Nine goals in over fifty games–nowhere near worthy of almost $2 million per season.

Here’s hoping that this new contract lifts a weight off of Chimera’s shoulders and frees him up down the stretch. Many thought he could be on his way to breakout season, some even predicted he could score 20+ goals. The Blue Jackets will need him to produce at a similar pace if they are going to stay in the race in the coming weeks.

OTHER NEWS: Winger Joakim Lindstrom has been recalled from Syracuse of the American Hockey League, goaltender Steve Mason has been recalled from Kitchener of the Ontario Hockey League and defenseman Duvie Westcott was placed on waivers and will head back to Syracuse if unclaimed.

–Rob Mixer

rm234405@ohio.edu

One Point Isn’t Enough

Ugh, where to start? Defense, defense, defense, play defense for a change. All I heard from the players and coaches prior to the game was to “limit OV’s space and time” and we didn’t do either the whole night. Foote, knowing Ovechkin’s hype, decided to try to drop him on the ice as some sort of a “leave my goalie alone” push and shove match. Too bad OV didn’t even touch Leclaire, and Foote takes yet another dumb penalty. I regret buying this guy’s jersey two years ago.

Thursday in Phoenix is a must win game. Win or bust, simple as that. We have to win it in regulation, by the way. We can’t let them steal a point from us. If we lose this game, it’s time to start selling. It would be possible for us to come and steal a bottom seed spot, but it won’t happen. Not with this group of men.

As Rob and I were saying earlier, if we can’t get players for trading away Foote or Fedorov, then don’t trade them at all. We have enough picks. We have enough young guys. We have enough depth. Too much depth. What we don’t have, is pure goal scorers. Nash and Zherdev, that’s pretty much it.

Players who need to be dealt:

Adam Foote

Sergei Fedorov

2 or 3 more depth players, such as Chimera, Malhotra, Vyborny, Tollefsen, Novotny, Peca, and Modin.

Go ahead and hate on me for saying Modin, but he had 2 goals in 5 games when he returned from his injury. That’s decent, I’ll give him that. But he isn’t what he was in Tampa Bay. We all know that. All these old beat up guys (Foote, Feds, Peca, Modin) don’t help the team any. Peca hasn’t been anything spectacular, really. I’m not bashing on anyone on the team, just stating the truth. I like to live in reality. The reality is that we are so  hung on thinking we have a good team, we don’t see that we really don’t have that great of a team here in Columbus. It’s time to make some moves. Those names mentioned above, I would love to see Chimmy, Manny and Vybs stay, but then in comes the whole reality check.

“I’m not looking for the best players, I’m looking for the right ones.” -Herb Brooks

Gee, think about that while your laying with your bed bugs tonight.

-Ryan McNamara