Just days after dominating the best team in the NHL, the Washington Capitals, the Blue Jackets stumbled around on the ice for three periods plus overtime, falling to a Pittsburgh Penguins team missing Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Patric Hornqvist, Nick Bjugstad and Brian Dumoulin.
Despite Joonas Korpisalo's strong play as of late, the Blue Jackets haven't been able to give him any offensive support. They mustered just 17 shots on goal last night through 60+ minutes.
"I don't have any words to describe (the game)", said head coach John Tortorella postgame. "I don't have any words to describe it."
"I don't know what to tell you guys", Tortorella continued. "I hope you ask (the players) the questions."
The Blue Jackets practiced this morning in Pittsburgh, and Tortorella had media availability afterward.
#CBJ John Tortorella said he hadnt watched film from Thursdays 1-0 overtime loss to Pittsburgh, but planned to later today on flight to Ottawa. He had strong words for his club after todays brief skate in Pittsburgh: pic.twitter.com/STSB216muE
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) December 13, 2019
Strong words, indeed. There's no question that Tortorella expects the best out of his players in every category, and it's no secret that many of the skaters he needed to step up this year haven't been up to the task.
Before the beginning of the season, many questions were being generated about this Blue Jackets team, none more so than the offense. Would the Blue Jackets be able to replace their offensively-talented UFAs internally, as the front office believed they could?
The answer, so far, has been a definitive "no."
The Blue Jackets need answers. Right now, they can't find any.
