Game 29 in Review - Blue Jackets 4, Wild 0

The Good:

The team looked solid through all four lines.  Special teams were clicking.  Most of the night passes were clean and on the tape.  There was so much that was good about the game that it's hard to believe that this was the same team that lost to Edmonton 7-0 just a couple of weeks prior.

The Bad:

The first five minutes of the game.  As each line took their first shifts, each played back on their heels.  The clean passes and smart defensive work that would be characteristic of the rest of the game were missing from the first shifts of each line.  While it wasn't costly in this game, this is the sort of play that has seen the team fall behind 1-0 within the first couple of minutes.  This aspect needs to be tightened up to a degree.

The Ugly:

The turnout for the game was probably the worst of any game that I've been in attendance for.  The announced paid attendance for the game was 11,319, but the actual turnstile count was likely quite different.  The poor weather, the first significant snowstorm of the season, suppressed turnout.  Those not in attendance missed a game that was not only well-played and enjoyable, but was also fast-paced.  There were only two TV time-outs in the first period due to lack of stoppages at the appropriate times.  The action just kept moving.

Blue Jackets Player of the Game:

Nick Foligno had a goal and an assist, and he was active throughout the game, laying down some nice hits and breaking up passes.  Honorable mention goes to R. J. Umberger, who also had a goal and an assist and, while not officially credited with a fight to get the Gordie Howe hat-trick, probably should have been given a fight.  On top of that, it was Umberger's 400th game with the Blue Jackets.

Looking Ahead:

The Blue Jackets travel to Pittsburgh on Monday for a nationally televised game against the Penguins.  There is some question as to the availability of Evgeni Malkin for the game as he is day-to-day, and Brooks Orpik and James Neal may be out due to an incident in Satiurday's game.  Due to the national television coverage, the start for the game is set for 7:30.

Record:  12-14-3, 27 pts., 7th place in the Metropolitan Division