It's the kind of win that can keep you alive.
And as ugly as it was, the Blue Jackets don't care.
You could hear it in John Tortorella's voice after the game: last night's 2-1 win in New Jersey stood no chance of being dissected. It's a win, two points in the bank, and now looking ahead to a big test Thursday night in Philadelphia. For the time being, the Blue Jackets jumped over New York and Carolina into the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, which could put them in a good spot for the rest of the week.
They're virtually guaranteed to be in the thick of this race come Monday's trade deadline, which means GM Jarmo Kekalainen will be in the spotlight. His job is to help this Blue Jackets team, which started so well and faded thanks to a non-existent offense, get into the playoffs for a second consecutive year. And to do so, they're going to need help at forward, preferably a player with a knack for goal-scoring.
By winning last night's game and putting themselves in an enviable position entering the weekend, the Blue Jackets might have solidified themselves as buyers. Can you really leave this team, one that has obviously needed a boost for two-plus months, as it is? No way, and that's why I think they're headed for an addition in one form or another.
Pierre Lebrun mentioned on TSN's Insider Trading that the Blue Jackets remain interested in Rick Nash. Could they also be kicking the tires on another former flame, Derick Brassard of the Ottawa Senators? Brassard would certainly be a nice fit with the Blue Jackets, given their lack of offense at forward and desire to upgrade the center position.
Cost is always a factor. The Blue Jackets have cap space to work with, some decent and desirable prospects but they'd like to keep hold of as many draft picks as possible. That's part of what makes the deadline so much fun: it's a deadline, right? So there's a ton of pressure to get something done, especially if your team is contention. At some point you have to stop negotiating and get a deal wrapped up, or risk someone else getting the player you were after or, in other cases, taking yourself out of the mix for other players.
That's why GMs sometimes cave and pay a high price. Remember the truck load that Minnesota sent to Arizona for Martin Hanzal? There's a crazy rental deal every year, just don't expect the Blue Jackets to play that game.
YOU SHOULD BE READING
- Here's a good look at the Jackets' offense from Paul Berthelot, wondering if their fortunes are about to reverse due to shot volume.
- Re-live last night's nail-biter in New Jersey with the recap courtesy of 1OB intern Andy Anders. Well done, kid.
- And, more post-game coverage comes in the form of Five Thoughts and the Quotebook.
Follow 1st Ohio BatteryFacebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube
