Because life is a series of Star Wars references (see below!), imagine John Tortorella as Luke Skywalker and his team as Rey, an inquisitive youngster who seeks guidance from the teacher.
"Who are you?" Skywalker Tortorella asks.
The truth is, the Blue Jackets have no idea.
They know this: they've won 17 of their first 28 games. They're one point back of New Jersey, tonight's opponent, for first place in the ultra-competitive Metropolitan Division. And to this point, they haven't played as well as they're capable of. Is that encouraging? Disappointing? Some combination of both?
Yes.
A year ago, their identity was cut and dry: a fast, skilled and deep team that hounded you 5-on-5 and could put a game away with its power play. Add in Sergei Bobrovsky on top of his game, and on many nights, the Blue Jackets had to feel unbeatable to their opponents. But this year, it's been different – and we knew it would be.
How will they respond? They're being tested early and at times, they've handled it well. Others (like Tuesday night) have been less successful. The first step to discovering this season's identity is to get back to the habits that have served them well to this point: skating, balance, and a relentless puck pursuit.
They're going to have the puck a lot. That's how they're built. But their ability to work a little harder than their opposition has to be an innate part of their identity, because when they do that, they create chances by the handful. And when those chances come, they're more likely to cash in.
Tortorella fired the first shot yesterday: be ready, or be watching. It's up to the players, largely their group of veterans, to get out of this rut and help the kids out.
SO...THIS SCENE.
Yes, I'm supposed to be in my mandatory one-week Star Wars embargo period.
I'm violating the policy...again.
This new TV spot features an outrageous clip of Rey in what we can assume is Supreme Leader Snoke's throne room, and final shot is unbelievably tantalizing. Why is she calling to Kylo Ren's cross-guard lightsaber? Why is she there in the first place?
YOU SHOULD BE READING
- The Blue Jackets debuted an all-new episode of "Behind The Battle" yesterday. Watch it here.
- Is John Tortorella purposefully testing the Blue Jackets by calling them out publicly?
- Yesterday, the NHL's Board of Governors took a big step toward expansion to Seattle.
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