There is still no panic in the Blue Jackets going into Game 2.
It seems to be all anyone can talk about going into Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs tonight – the Blue Jackets' inability to score goals in a 3-1 loss in the opening game that has put them in a 1-0 series hole.
But if there's any worry yet in the Columbus team, it isn't showing. Despite all the questions, the Blue Jackets are confident they'll be able to unlock whatever formula it takes to put the puck in the net going forward.
"I thought we put some good minutes in," head coach John Tortorella said today. "I thought we were there as I watched the tape at certain times. We almost bang a couple of rebounds in when we got the puck there. I thought what they did really good in the first game, they blocked a lot of shots. We certainly have to be cognizant of that, of making sure we get shots through.
"There's nothing special that I don't think either team are doing trying to defend. I think there's a willingness and a level of willingness that needs to be more consistent throughout the game, so we're going to try to just go about it. I feel good about our team. You lose your first one, but you gotta watch the video, and I feel good about a lot of the things we did. Hopefully we'll get some rebounds and keep banging away at it."
Tortorella also gave the following thoughts on the series:
On the team's lack of power plays this season: "I've been asked that all year long. I don't know. Everybody says, 'Were you working hard enough? Were you going to the net to draw penalties?' I don't look at it that way because I think our team works really hard. I think that's one of our biggest strengths, how hard we play. It's a tough question to answer because I just don't have the answer. I think it's one of the lowest amount of times a team has been given (power plays) in 25 years. I think that's a stat we have. No gamesmanship here, you asked me the question and I'm just throwing out the information we have. We asked ourselves that question, and we have not come up with an answer."
On the team's penalty kill: "I think as most penalty killing is, I don't think there's any penalty kill that isn't aggressive. It's picking your spots as to when to be aggressive. I think at certain times in the one game here, there were times within those few minutes that we had to kill that we have to be sharper with our decisions on when to go. I think we allowed them to play a little bit too much the few minutes that we've killed already in this series."
Scott Harrington
On playing with rookie Gabriel Carlsson in Game 1: "It was pretty good. Gabriel is an easy guy to play with. He keeps it pretty simple out there. We talked a lot before the game and during the game to get as comfortable with each other as we could. We had another day of skating together at practice yesterday so I think tonight it'll be easier for us."
On seeing the ice against Pittsburgh: "That's what I was hoping for was to get in the lineup and be able to play against those guys. It was definitely exciting to be in for the first game and get the first game out of the way. Myself and the rest of us are really looking forward to the challenge tonight."
Scott Hartnell
On seizing momentum: "Everyone in this dressing room has playoff experience now, whether it's one game or whatever it is. Even though we played a real good first period, we want to get the first goal and put the pedal down the rest of the match. The first five minutes is probably the biggest part of the game. They start well here in this building, and we want to come out here and take the spirit out of them and take the spirit out of the crowd and get a 1-0 lead and keep going."
On getting more scoring chances: "He's a big goaltender. He comes out and challenges quite a bit out of his net. Instead of hitting him in the glove or in the chest where he can handle those shots, I think we want to get some pucks low, get some rebounds, get their D turning, making them look for pucks and get some rebounds and we'll be able to keep the play down there a little bit more than we did last game.
