It's not a stretch to suggest that the Blue Jackets played well enough (at times) to win Saturday night.
But, as you know, they didn't. They were ambushed out of the gate and let the game get away late in the second period. After a 4-3 loss in Washington, here are five takeaways from a divisional loss to the Capitals.
CALVERT RETURNS
The Blue Jackets have missed Matt Calvert’s energy.
Tonight, he made his return after nearly a month recovery from an upper body injury, and John Tortorella said before the game that there would be no easing him into the lineup. Calvert got a regular even-strength shift and was out there killing penalties with Brandon Dubinsky, who helped set up the game-tying goal in the second period.
Dubinsky hunted a puck down, forced a turnover, and Calvert spun in the high slot and beat Braden Holtby with a wrist shot inside the post. Calvert played 13:05 – the Blue Jackets relied heavily on their top two lines tonight – and had moments where he looked like the player who was playing so well before the injury.
“He was OK,” Tortorella said of Calvert’s game.
PANARIN LINE SIZZLES
It’s all well and good while the Blue Jackets are winning and leading the division, but in due time, they will need more players to take a step forward as their No. 1 line has lately. When they need a goal or to shift the flow of the game, Tortorella sends the Panarin-Dubois-Anderson line over the boards to make something happen.
Bet you weren’t thinking that in September, were you?
They were a force again tonight, 24 hours after scoring the tying goal and go-ahead goal on Friday night against Anaheim. The statistical evidence is strong:
Yes the game wasnt the overall outcome CBJ wants. But, French Bread. Doing OK. pic.twitter.com/lY9hw1RJZ9
— Alison (@AlisonL) December 3, 2017
SLOW START(S)
Two goals in the first three minutes. A goal late in the second period and another early in the third. That was the offense for Washington tonight, and it was enough to get by the Blue Jackets, who were guilty of breakdowns – particularly early on.
The opening goal was a coverage lapse. Brett Connolly was loose in the slot and had a clean look at Bobrovsky. The second goal was another breakdown and, after 30-plus minutes of getting themselves back in the game, the Blue Jackets shot themselves in the foot.
Boone Jenner took consecutive offensive zone penalties, and the second one cost the Blue Jackets. Alex Ovechkin's power play goal gave the Capitals a 3-2 lead with 38 seconds left in the second period, and 1:08 into the third period, Washington added on a goal that stood as the game winner.
BATTLE BACK
Tortorella liked the push-back in the Blue Jackets tonight. They didn't panic after falling behind 2-0 and instead worked slowly to get on their game; when they did, they were more direct and simple, which usually serves them well.
They scored two of their own to pull even in the second period – Calvert's shorthanded goal tied it – and Zach Werenski scored with 3:02 left in regulation to make things interesting. It didn't work out in the end, but the Blue Jackets showed no sign of folding and out-shot the Capitals 17-3 in the third period.
"I thought we showed some resiliency," Tortorella said.
THE TURNING POINT
Yep, it was the Jenner penalty in the final minute of the second period. The Blue Jackets were so close to getting into the dressing room in a 2-2 tie, but giving Ovechkin and the Capitals a power play opportunity with a chance to take the game back is never a wise idea.
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