It hasn't been an easy season for Blue Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo.
Though his play has been generally strong, he has been hung out to dry many, many times.
Both offensively and defensively, the Blue Jackets have struggled mightily this year. Korpisalo has felt the effects of it, and he's begun to demonstrate, during games, how upset he is.
In a 7-4 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on October 26th, the Blue Jackets gave up five unanswered goals in the third period. After a shorthanded goal from Kevin Hayes to make it 5-4, Philadelphia, Korpisalo went beserk.
We are all Joonas Korpisalo right now. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/DHIKOxaezG
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 27, 2019
After the game, Korpisalo apologized to his teammates, and John Tortorella didn't mince his words when asked about the incident: "It won't happen again."
It did.
The Blue Jackets lost a 2-1 lead in Colorado on Thursday night, falling 4-2 to the Avalanche. After the fourth goal, Korpisalo took out his anger on the crossbar.
Replay pic.twitter.com/LO1qvbHtC2
— Alison (@AlisonL) November 10, 2019
After the camera went off of Korpisalo, he continued by sending the puck down the ice and hitting his stick again.
Having emotion means that you care, and absolutely no one can doubt Korpisalo's passion for the game and his team. On the flip side of the coin, demonstrating it like that is not conducive to making progress as a team. It's frustrating to be playing like the Blue Jackets are right now.
Korpisalo said his post-goal rage outbursts are directed at himself and/or bad luck, not his teammates.
— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) November 11, 2019
"That's the thing. I never blame anyone other than myself. So, it's the same thought. Nothing new. Gotta get better at it."#CBJ
Not only do Korpisalo's outbursts affect the Blue Jackets, but they also affect other teams. When other clubs notice them, they know that it's easy to get in his head.
On Sunday, the Blue Jackets announced a flurry of roster moves, including one that is related to Korpisalo's outburst: G Elvis Merzlikins was recalled from AHL Cleveland.
Merzlikins was expected to spend the week with @monstershockey, so this is a change of plans. GM Jarmo Kekalainen wouldnt comment this morning, but probably safe to assume #CBJ arent happy w Joonas Korpisalos stick-slamming reactions to two goals vs #Avs on Saturday. 2/?
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) November 10, 2019
The plan was for Merzlikins to get consistent playing time in the AHL while Korpisalo handled the NHL load this week, but this is no longer the case.
On Monday morning, John Tortorella confirmed that Merzlikins will start on Tuesday against Montreal.
John Tortorella says Elvis Merzlikins to start tomorrow in Montreal #CBJ
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) November 11, 2019
It's okay to be upset with the way that the Blue Jackets are playing, but John Tortorella has made it very clear that Korpisalo's antics have to stop.
We'll see if they do.
