Three games are in the books.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are 1-2-0 through their first three games, and since their next game is on Friday against the Calgary Flames, it's time to take stock of what we've seen and overreact to some of the storylines playing out.
Same Ole Blue Jackets
Who are the real Blue Jackets?
The sloppy team that lacked pace during last Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers? Or the team we saw on Saturday in the 5-2 win over the New York Rangers?
Or back to the team we saw on Monday in the 4-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings in which they outplayed their opponent in the first period and then got rolled through the final 40 minutes?
#LGRW vs #CBJ at 5v5 (via @NatStatTrick):
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) October 17, 2023
1st Period:
CF: 17-8 CBJ
SF: 7-4 CBJ
SCF: 7-2 CBJ
HDCF: 2-1 CBJ
xGF: 0.88-0.30 CBJ
2nd & 3rd Periods:
CF: 24-14 DET
SF: 15-10 DET
SCF: 13-4 DET
HDCF: 5-1 DET
xGF: 1.15-0.29 DET
There are no mulligans or do-overs, but after the opening night's lackadaisical slop fest, head coach Pascal Vincent was looking for more pace from his club.
We saw a much better effort over the weekend, which continued for 20 minutes on Monday.
It's only three games, but clearly, the team is searching for their identity, and Vincent is trying to figure out what he has.
We can't promise the Blue Jackets will be a playoff contender, but it'd be nice to see this team start to resemble a consistent, competitive brand of hockey. The team has potential and talent, and it's time to rev that engine.
Vincent will have the next few days ahead of their Friday tilt with the Calgary Flames to crack the whip and have his team ready to compete for 60 minutes. Then they'll face their first road test and back-to-back opportunity on Saturday at the Minnesota Wild.
David Jiricek Is Here To Stay
This might not be an overreaction as there was the case to be made that Jiricek should have made the opening night roster. A surplus of defensemen on the blue line helped force the decision to send Jiricek to Cleveland, and Jiricek is still only 19 years old.
Yet, we knew it wouldn't be long before Jiricek was with the NHL club, whether injuries or what have you to necessitate a call-up.
Then Zach Werenski suffered a quad contusion on opening night, and up came Jiricek, scoring a goal in his debut against the Rangers in his fifth career NHL game.
In Monday's game, Jiricek led everyone in 5v5 ice time (17:43).
#NHL GameScore Impact Card for Columbus Blue Jackets on 2023-10-16:#CBJ pic.twitter.com/YoyCRS2KGb
— HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) October 17, 2023
Barring any significant struggles during his NHL stint, the Blue Jackets have to find a way to keep Jiricek in the NHL when Werenski is back.
Is Elvis Merzlikins Back?
Currently, he's out due to a stomach bug.
And as far as his on-ice performance, it's too early to say whether Merzlikins has figured something out or will continue his early-season success through five periods of play thus far.
But his 1.409 goals saved above expected per 60 is 12th, and his 2.3 GSAx is eighth per MoneyPuck.
Adam Fantilli Scores 20 Goals
Adam Fantilli has one point — an opening night assist — through his first three games, but he's currently leading the team at 5v5 with 1.61 ixG/60 and 3.62 xGF/60 per Natural Stat Trick.
He's been getting first-line assignments with Patrik Laine and Alexandre Texier over the last two games. In Monday's game, they generated the most scoring opportunities with 0.61 xGF.
Fantilli will get his chances, and the goals will start pouring in sooner rather than later.
Marchenko Will Have More Assists Than Goals
Kirill Marchenko made franchise history last season with 21 goals as a rookie. And the fact he only had four assists in 59 games was the type of statistical oddity you love.
This season, he's got three apples and he'll certainly surpass last season's total. And his goals will come. Could he end up with more assists than goals?
Probably not because he's a pure goal-scorer, but he'll have plenty of both this season.
