INSIDE HOCKEY

The travails of the Columbus Blue Jackets continue, as they are mired in one of their worst losing streaks in recent memory.  

In the CBJ's last 20 contests, they have gone 5-10-5, which includes a 5-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in their first of four consecutive road games.  Colorado netted four goals in the first 8:02 of play, including two power play tallies, driving Calder Trophy winner Steve Mason from the net. 

However, as most observers will confirm, it was not Mason’s play that led to the scoring onslaught, but rather the ongoing litany of turnovers, sloppy puck movement and missed defensive assignments that have plagued the club for most of the season.  That they are only one game under .500 at this point is attributable solely to their newfound scoring ability, particularly on the power play. 

To all appearances, head coach Ken Hitchcock is at a loss as to how to respond to the crisis.  In post-game remarks, he comes across as almost detached, echoing the need to be “more competitive” and to play with “more desperation.”  

In terms of actions, he has continued his shuffling of lines and defensive pairings, seldom leaving a line intact for more than a game or two.  After the Colorado loss, Hitchcock chose the locker room as the venue for announcing his new goalie policy – “win and you’re in.”  Beleaguered Steve Mason is no longer the No. 1 goalie alone – he now shares that role with Mathieu Garon.  It will be intriguing to see how the young netminder responds to the challenge. 

There are those who argue, with substantial justification, that focusing on the goalies is akin to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic – it might look good, but ultimately will do nothing to keep the ship afloat. 

Mason has not been as awful as his numbers would indicate, as his defensive corps has hung him out to dry more often than not.  That being said, he has not routinely been able to make the spectacular save that characterized his play last year.  Still, the fundamental gaps can be found within their own zone, where soft defensive play and a series of awful turnovers have put the club behind in virtually every game. 

Amid the clamoring for dramatic change, GM Scott Howson has managed to stay the course thus far, expressing confidence in both his coach and his players. 

In an interview published today, Howson acknowledged the need for a defenseman, but believes that the ultimate answers still reside on the existing roster.  To his credit, he denies that an “enforcer” will be the cure to the club’s woes – roster spots are simply too precious these days.  Despite the fan howls for a blockbuster trade, such is not Howson’s style.  The compressed Olympic schedule and the plethora of long term contracts make deals hard to pull off right now, and Howson firmly believes that no deal is preferable to a bad deal.

The Jackets go into Phoenix tonight as a scared team.  They are playing tense hockey, gripping the sticks too tightly, trying desperately not to make mistakes.  With the youngest squad in the league, precisely the opposite occurs, more often than not.

Another move that has many scratching their heads, the latest line juggling has sophomore Jakub Voracek moving up to the top line with Antoine Vermette and Rick Nash, while mercurial Kristian Huselius moves to the checking line with Samuel Pahlsson and Freddy Modin.  While Voracek has certainly earned a shot at the top line through his aggressive play, placing the slightly-built Huselius on the checking line seems to be a curious way to send a message, if that is indeed what is happening.

Columbus may need to look no further than their power play to find some of the answers to their problems.  Entering tonight’s game, the Blue Jackets sport the No. 1 power play in the NHL, with a 23.6% conversion rate.  This is in stark contrast to last year’s club, which ended up dead last in the PP statistics, converting just 12.7% of their chances.

So, what is the difference?  

First, newcomer Anton Stralman has provided a very respectable offensive presence to the blue line, and a much-needed right hand shot that can get through to the net from the point.  Secondly, a healthy Derick Brassard has provided more flexibility in puck movement, and Kris Russell and Jake Voracek have provided depth. 

Overall, the power play has been more aggressive this year, with defensemen more willing to pinch in and add to the offensive threat down low.  Sure, this has resulted in the occasional odd man rush in the other direction, and some short- handed goals, but the net result has been overwhelmingly positive.

Besides the tweaks in personnel and approach, the power play has benefited from something that the five-on-five game has not: stability. 

With minor exceptions, the power play units have been kept intact, and it shows.  The PP adopts a simple, aggressive model and all of the players have bought into it.  In contrast, the offensive lines and defensive pairings have shifted like the sands on a windy beach, providing anything but a stable footing to dig in and use as a foundation.

The Jackets need to simplify, and utilize their young talent.  Establish some lines, keep them together, and let them play without fear that their first mistake will place them on the bench or in the press box. Will mistakes happen?  Sure.  However, at some point you need to have faith in the talent on your squad, and recognize that simplicity and talent can make up for many shortcomings.  It has worked for the power play, so no reason it can’t work for the even strength game as well.

The halfway mark is approaching, the volume of dissent is growing, and the fans are getting restless.  The margin for error is rapidly diminishing, so the time for action is sooner, rather than later.