The Blue Jackets and Hurricanes are known for games that are...less than interesting.
That moribund trend was broken Sunday afternoon at Nationwide Arena in one of the weirdest, most perplexing games we've seen in a while. This game had everything, including a recurrence of some disturbing patterns shown by the Blue Jackets. A loss like this one is tough to take, because the process leading to the result is just not a good product right now.
Oh, and the NHL did some very NHL stuff.
Here are this afternoon's three things.
HOLY LAINE
There's not much to do with this, other than admire it.
Patrik Laine's second goal with Columbus was the kind we've waited to see: an absolutely peppered one-timer on the power play, from his left flank position. James Reimer could only hear it go past him.
He did it again in the final minute of regulation, giving the Blue Jackets life with the extra attacker to make it a 6-5 game. It's his first multi-goal game with Columbus, and we now fully understand that this dude can bomb it. All you need to know: the Hurricanes wanted no part of the shooting lanes in front of Laine.
THE OFFICIATING...WOOF
Between the second and third periods, one referee and one linesman sprinted from the Zamboni tunnel and toward the Blue Jackets' bench. They went down the runway, and came out of the Carolina side a few minutes later. Before the third period began, the officiating crew had a lengthy chat with John Tortorella, and after some confusion, we figured out why.
Tortorella challenged the call on Carolina's fourth goal, saying it was offside at the attacking line. Initially, it was allowed to stand–but the conversation between periods was officials letting Tortorella (and presumably, Rod Brind'Amour) know what was left of the penalty would be wiped out.
re this
— Alison (@AlisonL) February 7, 2021
per @shelleyhawk45 its believed on the reverse angle that Trochek was in fact, offside, the penalty has been taken off the board. The goal remains. #CBJ #Canes https://t.co/436M41MaTo pic.twitter.com/o2L6Po99bW
This is unequivocally Peak NHL Stuff here, folks.
Keeping a goal off the board that shouldn't have counted but eliminating 45 seconds of a penalty that had already been killed for 75 seconds. What if Carolina scored on the delay of game penalty to Tortorella? Keep both illegitimate goals on the board?
The NHL Situation Room referred to it as a "miscommunication." For real.
D-ZONE DISASTERS
If you take away the shouldn't-have-been goal, the Blue Jackets still gave up five.
Given their offensive struggles, that's no way to win. They had some brutal moments in their own end today and it cost them goals. Their inability to break out cleanly is a major issue. Their lack of connectedness is a problem–they're opening themselves up for long, extended shifts in their own zone and some big-time turnovers.
You can count on one hand the number of clean exits in the first two periods. It's been a struggle in their own end, which is uncharacteristic from the Blue Jackets under Tortorella. Their offensive game, though, seems to have been sparked since Laine's arrival.
"It was sloppy (defensively)," captain Nick Foligno. "We're a team that thrives on not giving up odd-man rushes. It's disappointing."
