The Columbus Blue Jackets will likely want to forget 2014. They have the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference and are seventh in the Metropolitan division. They have failed to put the puck in the net many times, and have the 24th ranked goals against average. However, Nick Foligno has had a promising season. The winger has netted the puck 24 times and has accounted for 56 points this season for the Jackets. Ryan Johansen has also played solid hockey, but this team lacks star power.
Where this team has really struggled has been penalty killing and defense. They are allowing nearly three goals per game, and are only killing 80 percent of their penalties. With hope likely lost for this season, they will need to bolster their defense and goaltending.
Already this month, they have allowed five goals to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, and their goal-stopping ability shows no signs of potential improvement. Their lack of goaltending has been killing them, as they have yet to establish a consistent starter. Sergei Bobrovsky and Curtis McElhinney have gotten the lion’s share of the work in net, but both are allowing more than 2.7 goals per game.
According to TiqIQ.com, their struggles are reflected in the price of Blue Jackets tickets at Nationwide Arena. The average price of home games this month is $73.82. This is especially reflected in their least expensive game of the month. The average price of their game versus the Capitals on March 3rd is $24.00. To get into the arena, it will only cost $6.00. That is an extremely low mark, considering that the talents of Alex Ovechkin will be taking the ice.
Even still, their most expensive game is not averaging over $100.00. Their most expensive game will come against the Colorado Avalanche on March 7th. It will only cost $14.00 to get into the game on that day, but the average ticket is going for a price of $95.94 on the resale market. It should be entertaining to see the Jackets try to score on the NHL’s 7th best penalty killing unit. Additionally, the Jackets should be able to kill the penalties of Colorado, as they are 29th in the NHL in scoring on the power play.
The Blue Jackets still want support from their fans as the season winds down. A trip to Columbus, OH can be booked through Hipmunk.com, and after you catch a Blue Jackets game, enjoy the rest of what the city has to offer by using Hipmunk to book hotels in the Columbus area.
Although the Jackets seem to be building toward the future, there is still some exciting hockey to be played in Ohio’s capital. Expect the Jackets to target every team with the entirety of their strength in order to salvage a respectable season. Regardless, there is some serious value to be had in Columbus for fans looking to see some NHL action.
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