Crashing the Net: Blue Jackets getting better and a Browns parallel?
Columbus, OH -- A Monday morning practice after a day off greeted the players today. They remain relaxed, yet focused, ahead of Tuesday night's tilt against the visiting Dallas Stars. The status quo will not do for these guys. Getting better is an everyday thing.
I have to admit it's getting better, a little better all the time... --Lennon/McCartney
"We're on an even keel," said defenseman James Wisniewski, "but we also know that we can play better. There were times in the last game that we were outplayed. I think we can keep building every game."
"So far, with our work ethic, we're going to win a lot of hockey games just by out-competing other teams."
The team is playing with a cohesiveness that has not been seen in the last few years to start the season. Two factors that play into this are familiarity with each other and having another year of experience under their belts.
This is also why, even at this early stage of the season, their PK is ranked 6th in the NHL. That "team play" is breeding a tighter group of guys that are embracing the system Todd Richards has in place.
As the season winds its way through October and beyond, they should become more efficient at maximizing those systems to give themselves the best chance of winning games.
"I think we had a good training camp," said forward Jared Boll about their team play, "everyone bought in, right away. The new guys have learned the system fast and everyone is on the same page from day one."
Todd Richards a Browns fan?
To start off his post-practice media scrum, Todd Richards decided to talk about the Cleveland Browns. They happened to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland yesterday, 31-10.
"The Browns were great", he said. "It's really good to see. I think there are parallels in sports, I don't care which sports you're playing. You watch them play and there's a lot of respect (for how they play). It looks like a lot of battle and compete out of those players up there."
"When you're starting to pound the ball, run the ball and bury over guys... that's like having an aggressive forecheck. That's feeling it. You see the way they play and you know you're going to be in for a battle and a fight."
When asked how many questions about the Blue Jackets that Mike Pettine (Cleveland Browns coach) might be getting today, Richards laughed and said, "probably none."
Still no Ryan Murray
Injured defenseman Ryan Murray (knee) participated in practice with team again today, taking part in contact drills. There is still no timetable for his return to the lineup.
"He's getting closer", said Richards with a smile. "I know you guys are looking for a date and I can't give that to you, just because we're unsure. We take it day-by-day and see how he feels. He's had a day here and there where he's taken a step back, but overall he's getting closer."
When asked if Murray will go right into the lineup when healthy over guys that are playing now, Richards said, "He's up there, but I don't know if he's quite there yet. He's still a young guy. We'll have to see how everything's going before we make that decision."
This and that
Forward Nick Foligno took a maintenance day today, but is expected in the lineup for Tuesday night's tilt against the visiting Dallas Stars.
Rookie forward Marko Dano is ranked 7th on the NHL's individual rookie scoring leaders list. He's averaging 13:20 TOI through two games. He scored his first NHL goal Saturday versus the New York Rangers. Dano also ranks first among all rookies with 6 shots.
Rookie forward Michael Chaput is ranked 3rd on the NHL's list for rookie assists with two.
Dano and Chaput are ranked 8th and 9th, respectively, on the NHL's rookie plus/minus list at +2.
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has a Goals Against Average of 1.50 and is presently 9th in the NHL.
