At 4-7-4 it can look a bit misleading, but this is what the Columbus Blue Jackets record is. The team has lost five in a row but it is not all bad for the team. The Blue Jackets have been for the most part competitive in games, in fact the team has had the lead in games so that is some good. Back to the bad, the Blue Jackets have had leads and then give it up this is a trend that simply must end. Will it and how soon? Let’s take a look.
Patrik Laine said after the team coughed up the lead in Detroit and lost they need to be able to play with the lead. Head coach Pascal Vincent said the same thing. Both player and coach believe the team is going to start finishing games. For young teams this can be a challenge and that is what it appears to be in Columbus.
Having leads is one thing, it is something entirely different to play with them and protect the lead. The Blue Jackets can carry the play for 60 minutes; they are fully capable of doing that as was the case in the four wins. Being consistent at it is another thing, Pascal Vincent has been pleased with the teams effort and says they are teaching the components of the game and he has stated finishing games is mentioned often.
Puck management has been an issue. Too often a player has a bad pass which has lead to goals. The puck management has improved but more is needed, Vincent has talked about it, team captain Boone Jenner has talked about it. It will be more of a concern if it continues heading into December.
The defense which is focused on stopping net-front and the slot has given up a lot of offensive zone- time. The team does a good job at taking high quality shots away. The problem lies in the zone-time. By allowing long stretches (2:00 minutes or longer) this allows opposing teams to find the back of the net outside or odd/difficult angles.
As mentioned the Blue Jackets have and are improving that is the positive. They need to keep working and find a way to clean up a couple issues which seems like they are close to doing. Once the sore spots are corrected the team feels like a team that could go on a heater. They are very close to being a highly competitive team.
