Things aren't great right now for the Columbus Blue Jackets – but they're far from over, too.
The Blue Jackets have now dropped two games in a row and come into tonight looking to salvage what could become a disaster of a road trip. Last time out, they suffered another loss to the bottom-feeding Edmonton Oilers, and are now on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff race.
Here's what we've learned in the past week.
Bobrovsky Status TBD
Last week it looked like Sergei Bobrovsky was peaking at the right time for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Now, after missing the last game, he's seemingly injured at the worst possible time for Columbus.
Bobrovsky, who was on quite the hot streak over his last few games, is apparently dealing with what's being called an upper-body injury. It's apparently been bothering him for a while, and kept him out against Edmonton.
Sure, this is precisely why they went out and got Keith Kinkaid at the trade deadline, but it's been Joonas Korpisalo in net while Bobrovsky has been out, and the results have been less than inspiring for a team with a host of other issues.
There's a chance that Sergei Bobrovsky returns tonight against Vancouver, but that's seemingly up in the air right now. If he does return, it'll give the Blue Jackets a boost that they sorely need.
The Top Line, It Stinks!
Perhaps the biggest reason why Jarmo Kekalainen made a splash at the deadline – adding Ryan Dzingel and Matt Duchene – was to give the Blue Jackets the chance to be more than a one-line team. For much of the season (scratch that, much of the last two seasons) the top line of Artemi Panarin, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Cam Atkinson has absolutely carried the team.
Folks, it switched. The Blue Jackets are no longer a one-line team, but the line they need the most has downright stunk since the trade deadline. Pierre-Luc Dubois hasn't looked like himself, while Artemi Panarin appears to be checked out. They'll need to get back to their game – more than just flashes, but actual consistent scoring – and quick if the Blue Jackets are going to climb back into a playoff spot.
Other Teams Peaking
It's not just that the Blue Jackets have had bad luck on the ice lately, they've had it in the standings, too. There are three spots up for grabs and four teams going after them, and Columbus is the only one that's really been stumbling as of late.
Columbus has earned just one of six possible points over their last three games, and looks completely lost at times. Meanwhile, Carolina has won three of their last four contests, Pittsburgh is 2-0-2 in their last four and Montreal has won three games in a row.
The lesson here: assuming other teams are going to give you some help is a fool's errand.
