One of the final teams for the Jackets to face this season came to town tonight and the Jackets played a full 60 to beat the St. Louis Blues 7-1. I mean good gracious, it was 5-1 after two periods! This was the type of play fans have been waiting to see – and that was something Nick Foligno recognized in his first star comments post-game. So speaking of that, let’s get on with it and name check the three stars of the night as named by NHL.com:
3rd Star: Curtis McElhinney. McElhinney stood tall facing 33 shots and letting only one through. He certainly did what a goaltender needs to do for his team, and it’s a compliment to Curtis that he is once again doing what he can to keep this team in games. When a team scores seven goals, however, sometimes it feels like there are other candidates for this star honor. Had you placed Matt Calvert – returning from injury, down 10 pounds and netting a fight and an assist – or Corey Tropp – first goal and tremendous energetic play – here, I wouldn’t have argued.
2nd Star: Ryan Johansen. Ryan Johansen is good at hockey. What more do you need to say, really? 1 goal, 2 assists and that goal was the first shorthanded one of his career – which seems mindblowing but true. Joey also served as the engine for a line that saw all three players net goals – including Hartnell’s. At first glance, that goal looks like an act of support liney to liney in a game already decided, but on further evaluation, you see Johansen correctly assess the defense, draw the D in, and pass to Hartnell who expertly places the puck in net. Star for Joey? yes.
1st Star: Nick Foligno. Does anyone else find it amusing how Nick Foligno just seems bound and determined to get the league to take notice? In a year he breaks his career scoring record with 20 goals, he gets two tonight, he’s captain of the All-Star team and he signs a long term contract to stay in Columbus. Nick Foligno – american hero. (Or ok, just having a great year and a huge part of this team).
Game in graphical form – coming soon
Stud: Corey Tropp. Tropper may not have only had the most fun goal of the game given his pure joy after scoring, but he also had the best quip of the night afterwards. He said to Dave Maetzold during the intermission that he “only scores highlight reel goals.” This guy. Some scoffed when he was moved into the top 6 – tonight he really looked like he belonged there. His energetic play to start the game was part of the tone setting that needed to happen and he ended up on the scoresheet with a goal and an assist. Good on ya, Tropp.
Dud: Identity Crisis. If I had a dime for everytime someone said/typed last night “if only the Jackets played this way all the time,” Well – I could at least buy a few drinks. But it is the question that needs to be answered – how does a team that can play like they did versus St. Louis find the means to do that every time they play. By all accounts last night was fun to watch, fun to play in, and the kind of team Columbus loves – consistency is the true riddle of the year – who is this team?
Bonus Comment: Ryan Murray. Come on. Seriously? Guy is back in only his third game in like forever and then he goes down after blocking a shot? You just have to hope that it’s nothing serious.
The Jackets are on a plane tonight to Ottawa where they will play a Senators team that is NOT playing the second game in a back-to-back. Sure would be fun to see this Jackets team show up for that game too!
Carry the Flag.
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