After a nine game losing skid, the Blue Jackets got themselves back into the win column last night. The team beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 and for Jackets center Michael Chaput, who was drafted by the Flyers but was traded to Columbus prior to playing a game in Philadelphia orange, this is what he knows needs to happen -- breaking the losing streak as a team.
Chaput has played in all 16 games this season. He's played primarily on the fourth line but has been moved up the lineup by head coach Todd Richards in a few games. Averaging just under twelve minutes of ice time per game, Chaput is seeing a fair amount of time on the penalty kill at 1:46 per game.
"Every guy has a role right now, I'm playing on the fourth line with (Jared Boll) mostly," Chaput said. "I think we're doing a good job and we can do better for sure - bring more energy, more consistency."
Richards, who also saw Chaput play with the Jackets for seventeen games last season, says that energy is one of the main assets to the 22 year-old's play right now.
"His last couple games have been better as far as being a good F1 (first forward into the zone) and getting in on the forecheck," Richards said. "He still needs to get better down low in coverage, and I think that he's starting to get more comfortable in the league and I think that's an adjustment for young players."
Chaput, called "Chappy" by his teammates, wants to find that comfort level, but not let it keep him from improving.
"I try to not get too comfortable and I'm just trying to elevate my play as much as I can," Chaput said.
Chaput has been with the team since training camp and has seen a lot of new faces join the locker room as injuries took their toll on players including Boone Jenner, Brandon Dubinsky and Sergei Boborovsky. When asked if he's earned a bit of seniority as guys join the team, Chaput laughs.
"Yes and no," Chaput said. "Some of the guys who have come up have played in NHL also. Sometimes I have to ask questions and we talk back and forth. As a young guy I just try to do my job and I look up to the older guys too."
In addition to the more senior players, Chaput also is absorbing the guidance of assistant coach Brad Larsen, who was Chaput's head coach in Springfield, when he played with the Jacket's AHL affiliate, the Springfield Falcons.
"The communication is really good between him and I," Chaput said. "He's been great overall especially for the young guys. When he sees something that is going well or not going well he makes a point to tell me and that's been nice."
Larsen and Chaput have been working together outside of formal practice as well. Thursday, before the team took to the ice, players who slot in on the third and fourth lines were out on the rink working with the assistant coach. Richards said that was not by design, it came from players wanting to get better.
"(Larsen) might grab one or two guys and usually when guys see that they want to go out and work on their game," Richards said. "When you see that it's players taking the initiative on their part to go out and do a little extra."
For Chaput, putting in the work is important. He knows the value of being able to roll four strong lines. It's something the team started to do earlier in the week against Washington and was evident against Philadelphia.
"When you roll 4 lines everyone has more energy," Chaput said. "We have to do that for 60 minutes. 45-50 is not enough."
The Jackets will look to get their second consecutive win tonight as they face the San Jose Sharks at Nationwide Arena. The puck drops at 7 p.m.
Follow Alison on twitter at @AlisonL
