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Jackets notebook: East has been a beast for struggling Jackets
Friday, December 4, 2009 2:59 AM
The Columbus Dispatch
Kyle Robertson | Dispatch
The Blue Jackets' R.J. Umberger tries to get a shot off against Maple Leafs goalie Joey MacDonald during the first period. A season ago, the Blue Jackets used the Eastern Conference like an ATM, withdrawing points at their convenience. This season, however, their receipt through eight games against the East reveals insufficient fun. The Toronto Maple Leafs became the latest team to exact its revenge with a 6-3 win in Nationwide Arena last night. The Jackets are 3-4-1 against the East a season after going 13-3-2. The 28 points they collected went a long way to propelling them to their first Stanley Cup playoffs appearance. But the East is improving and many of its clubs play a high-tempo, high-pressure style that seems to give the Jackets fits. Their goals-against average is 3.96 against the East. "We are playing games too wide open, trying to rely too much on offense and our talent," captain Rick Nash said. "That's their game, it's not ours, and we can't play that way." Even in victories, teams such as Atlanta have enticed the youthful Jackets into fast-breaking, turnover-laden games. Last night was no exception. The Maple Leafs' speed gave the Jackets trouble, forcing turnovers that led to scoring chances. The Blue Jackets have lost four straight to the East. Must galling to coach Ken Hitchcock is that he warned his team of the Maple Leafs' intentions in a morning meeting -- how they pressure puck-carriers in hopes of creating odd-man opportunities. The lesson apparently didn't register. The Maple Leafs feasted on neutral-zone and offensive-zone turnovers. "We knew what they could do off the rush and we kept turning it over," Hitchcock said. Not backing downOn a night the Blue Jackets got routed at home, it took their smallest player to exhibit some fight. Defenseman Kris Russell (5 feet 10, 180 pounds) fought fellow bantamweight Phil Kessel (6-0, 192) in a third-period scrap. It's not the first time Russell has shown a willingness to mix it up. "It was just a battle in the corner," Russell said. "It was too guys fighting for space. Those things happen sometime." Papa RaffiWinger Raffi Torres missed last night's game. He definitely had an excused absence. His wife, Gianna, gave birth to the couple's first child, Katlyn Rose. The baby was born 6 pounds, 10 ounces. Torres is expected to play Saturday against Colorado. Slap shotsThe Blue Jackets scratched Torres and defenseman Marc Methot (lower body injury). Forward Jason Chimera's third-period goal snapped a 12-game pointless streak. Journeyman goaltender Joey MacDonald improved to 2-1 against the Jackets. Story toolsToday’s Top Stories |
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