Columbus, Ohio -- For the first time in twenty-three days they didn't earn any points. Their last loss in regulation happened in Nashville on November 29. In that span of 10 games, they went 8-1-1. But it was not so much that they lost, it was how they lost 5-1 to the Predators.
"For me, it was two things," said Brandon Dubinsky. "We didn't work hard enough for each other or support the puck well enough. The support and execution weren't there and that's obviously a good team to face. The most upsetting thing is leaving Bob out there like that and putting Mac in a tough situation with 10 minutes left."
They faced a determined and aggressive Nashville forecheck that stymied them into getting any flow going to their game. While they had moments when they were able to play the game their way, they were too few and far between.
The Predators were a step faster all night. Couple that with some hesitation on the part of the Blue Jackets and they ended up chasing the game even before the first goal was scored.
"They stuck to their game," head coach Todd Richards said of Nashville, "and we got away from our game, especially after the first two goals."
The Predators scored two goals in the second period and three in the third. Richards made the decision to pull Sergei Bobrovsky after the fourth goal against at 7:13 of the final frame and replace him with Curtis McElhinney. Richards put the onus for the loss squarely on the rest of the team in front of Bobrovsky.
"That was not Sergei at all," he said. "It had nothing to do with his play."
When asked if the poor performance of the team gave them the feeling that they let down their goaltender, Dubinsky said "It does, and it was something that we addressed right after the game."
Their special teams play was about the only bright spot coming out of this loss. Nashville had four power plays and the Blue Jackets killed them all off, some with alacrity. On their first penalty kill, for example, they had almost as much control and possession of the puck as the opposition did.
Their power play, ranked fifth in the league coming into this game, went one-for-two on the night. The lone Blue Jackets goal was scored by rookie Alex Wennberg.
But it was their even strength play that left much to be desired. Although they managed to get 31 shots on goal, their passing was not as concise as it should be. Whether it's a no-look pass or a less than crisp, tape-to-tape pass, Nashville was able to intercept them.
"We've got to find ways to buckle down defensively five-on-five," Richards said, "and we've got to score more goals five-on-five. I'm not talking about six in one game, but we need two in a game and then a power play (goal) here or there will win games 3-2."
A loss was bound to happen, as all good things come to an end. That is fact. If they had given a complete team effort, the loss would still be disappointing, but it would be much easier to take.
They now have four days with which to enjoy the Christmas break with their families. It should be a time for celebration of family and friends as they leave this game behind them.
"I think it will be pretty easy for us to move past this one," said Richards, "get away and enjoy family and friends. It's the important things... not that hockey isn't important, but family takes precedence over hockey."
In this, the coach is entirely correct. Yes, hockey is important. But he knows that there are levels to what is really important. While there may be disappointment in the near-term aftermath of losing, the prospect of getting away from the rink, recharging the batteries and mending any bumps and bruises is appealing.
Richards was almost waxing philosophical before ending his postgame press conference. But, he really hit the nail on the head in a matter of fact way.
"It was a good run. We still have a long way to go and now we've got to start another streak."
