With head coach Brad Larsen and Steve McCarthy out for the foreseeable future (COVID protocol), associate coach Pascal Vincent served as Blue Jackets head coach Tuesday night.
But the players were confident in Vincent's coaching abilities, noting little change in preparation or in-game flow when they faced off against the New York Islanders at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets dropped a 4-3 decision despite a third-period push, which Vincent was happy with despite falling into a three-goal hole.
As Brad Larsen and Steve McCarthy enter the NHL's COVID-19 protocol, Jake Bean knows the @BlueJacketsNHL will be well taken care of under associate coach Pascal Vincent tonight.#CBJ | @DMaetzMedia pic.twitter.com/yolTlCTDqU
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) March 29, 2022
"I think it's a big change, but we've got a lot of capable people behind the bench and we'll be well taken care of," Bean said.
Vincent emphasized that Blue Jackets and their makeshift coaching staff (which included retired veteran NHL coach Craig Hartsburg helping with the defense) planned to keep doing what they've been doing, and avoiding any disruption to the daily routine despite a different voice as head coach.
"(We're) going to try to keep things consistent. We're going to try to keep going," Vincent said.
After hearing from Larsen, Vincent was tested for COVID-19 and was cleared to coach.
"Even COVID doesn't want me, so I'm negative," Vincent quipped.
Pascal Vincent steps in @Ticketmaster | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/Jvhi2WX1cz
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 29, 2022
Jared Boll, who called the defense pairings on Tuesday, has been on the Blue Jackets' bench in assistant coaching capacity at various times during the season.
Assistant coach Kenny McCudden, who typically watches and coaches from the press box on game nights, coached the forwards.
"It's going to be a new experience for (Boll and McCudden)," Vincent said. "Running the 'D' is a little bit different, (as) you've look at the matchups and stuff. I'm sure they feel excited about that experience, but nobody's excited to see Mac and Lars testing positive."
While the Blue Jackets failed to complete their third-period comeback, Vincent thought the energy they had in the third would propel a comeback victory.
Given the @BlueJacketsNHL's compete level, intensity, and desire in the third period, Pascal Vincent felt like they were going to complete their comeback.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/ie9rLEontC
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) March 30, 2022
"I really liked the third, I liked the start too. I thought we pushed hard in the first period," Vincent said. "A few individual mistakes cost us a few goals."
But as Larsen mentioned last weekend, the one thing you can't take away from the Blue Jackets is their determination.
"But if you look at the last trip, the way we just never stopped... they just keep fighting," Vincent said. "The compete level, the intensity and the desire to stay in the game, I thought we were coming back in that third period."
Larsen and McCarthy will remain out on COVID protocol for the foreseeable future, meaning they won't see the bench on the team's upcoming two game road trip.
Neither Brad Larsen nor Steve McCarthy will make the two-game road trip with the #CBJ to play the #Isles or #NHLBruins
— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) March 30, 2022
