Tonight was...confusing.
How to react? The Columbus Blue Jackets more than doubled up the Toronto Maple Leafs in the shot column, making NHL history in the process, but surrendered six and only converted thrice in a disappointing loss.
Here are five thoughts from a tough one at Air Canada Centre:
Shots Shots Shots Shots
For a third straight game, the Blue Jackets crossed the 50-shot plateau in a dominant offensive performance. This is the first time since the NHL expanded a team has put 50 on net in three straight games. Clearly ,it didn't translate into enough goals. It's true that when your shooting percentage falls under 5% it's indicative of the type of shots generated, but it doesn't help matters when Frederik Andersen puts on a goaltending clinic. All that said, an offensive showing like this can only pay dividends moving forward.
Not So Special Teams
Yet again, the special units struggled tonight for the Blue Jackets. Another power play goal was surrendered by the penalty killing unit and NHL's worst power play almost gave one up shorthanded. Forget about scoring one of their own. The offense damn near looked better in 5-on-5 than with a man advantage.
Sometimes Kore, Sometimes a Korpse
Joonas Korpisalo gave Sergei Bobrovsky a night off tonight, and his performance was wildly inconsistent. There's head-scratchers like this:
@43_Kadri #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/ifwCKNS1Bs
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 15, 2018
But also gems like this:
This isn't a bad save from Korpisalo.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/fBvVAJHAu0
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 15, 2018
This showing from Korpisalo probably sums up with a poor grade though. Five goals on 26 shots equals "not very good."
Foligno Foligno Folignoooooo
One of the bright spots tonight was the three points thrown up by captain Nick Foligno. He not only put together a two-goal offensive showing, but looked energized and physical every time he was on the ice, creating chaos around by the net and working for second opportunities.
Wenning the Night
Alexander Wennberg also put together a solid outing for Columbus, recording a pair of assists that included this beauty:
These two are feeling it right now. Wennberg fights through the check and makes a mini 2-on-1. Foligno just has to put it in the back of the open net. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/cL1KAYzI5W
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 15, 2018
It was good to see Wennberg putting in work like that. Further proof that he's actually been very good this season.
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