The Columbus Blue Jackets have been exceptionally sloppy to start the season. Through three games, they've given up 11 goals, and four of them have come directly off turnovers. If you don't count the two empty net goals and the three power-play goals surrendered, you could make the case that the Blue Jackets have essentially exclusively given up 5v5 goals after a turnover occurred.
Both non-empty net goals on opening night's loss to the Philadelphia Flyers came directly off of offensive zone turnovers. One disallowed goal against the New York Rangers came off an egregious turnover by Erik Gudbranson, and another non-disallowed goal came off a turnover after a failed breakout. Then, perhaps the crown jewel of turnovers came off an intercepted breakout pass off the stick of Damon Severson that made the deficit 2-0. The wheels fell off after that, as though the play was so demoralizing that, even with half the game left to play, it was all but a formality at that point. Severson was later benched, adding insult to injury.
The reality is that turnovers, coupled with a bad power play and a general lack of intensity/focus through three games, mean that the Blue Jackets are consistently playing at a disadvantage. Here is some demoralizing film that shows the team's woes.
Offensive Turnover #1
PHILLY JOEL.#PHIvsCBJ | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/xK0VB4ppBO
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 12, 2023
Zach Werenski attacked the offensive blue line with the intent of dropping the puck back, but the Flyers defense kept a perfect gap, stepped up, and poked the puck the other way before any of the three Blue Jackets forwards, one of whom would have ideally been covering back for Werenski, could recover. Andrew Peeke blew a tire, yes, but the Flyers had a 2-on-1 nonetheless.
Offensive Turnover #2
TK ALL DAY. #PHIvsCBJ | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/odkxAiniHo
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 12, 2023
Patrik Laine similarly tried to drop the puck back to support, but Sillinger zigged when Laine expected a zag. Travis Konecny took advantage of the mishap, started a 3-on-2, then filled in as the support valve, and finished the play with a nice shot. Both goals illustrate how quickly a failed offensive zone play above the circles can result in a dangerous chance against.
Breakout Turnover #1
Will Cuylle gets on the board with his first career goal! #NHLFaceOff pic.twitter.com/B6T7LE7jbV
— NHL (@NHL) October 15, 2023
For the sake of brevity and accuracy, we won't even go into the Mika Zibenejad goal, for it was disallowed and therefore the turnover doesn't exist in the annals of the NHL, but people don't forget. This goal, however, cannot be ignored. Ivan Provorov collects a puck stopped behind the net by Spencer Martin, but is forced to his backhand side, where he sends a sloppy pass that misses both David Jiricek and Patrik Laine. Neither of them was in a position to do much constructive with the puck regardless, but now the Rangers have possession. A quick passing play found Will Cuylle in the slot for what would become his first career goal. Worth noting on this play was Adam Fantilli playing center, stationed in front of the net when Provorov had the puck, and Laine on the wing. Both players were caught on the wrong side of the puck after the turnover occurred, which ultimately resulted in the goal.
Breakout Turnover #2
Ah, the aforementioned Severson mistake. I used this clip as opposed to the one from the NHL as it shows the beginning of the play, which clearly shows Adam Boqvist with full possession of the puck. He moves it to Severson, who has minimal pressure on him. Instead of hinging back to Boqvist, going with a 'quick up' to his strong-side winger, or even circling back, Severson does the (checks notes) only thing he shouldn't do, which is force a pass to the middle of the ice. Seconds later, the puck is in the back of the net.
Red Wings explode for three goals in the 2nd period.
— Tom Mitsos (@tom_mitsos) October 17, 2023
Rasmussen (1), Larkin (1) and Copp (1) pic.twitter.com/ELoqgMauaE
This goal was so devastating because of how inexcusable it is. This wasn't a rookie mistake. It wasn't a player who made a mistake under duress. It was a completely unforced error from a well-paid, veteran player with whom expectations are understandably high. Severson acknowledged that he may have been trying to impress his "new teammates, the fans, management".
The good news for the Blue Jackets is that these are correctable mistakes. Can they be fixed? Time will tell.
