Three Takeaways from the Blue Jackets loss to the New York Rangers
One: What is it about second periods for the Blue Jackets? They consistently skate as though they are just going through the motions of playing a game. They seem as if they feel the need to chase the game almost every time. Head coach Todd Richards sees that about the second period, too. "It took me, I don't know how much time was left in the 2nd period, to get a little bit upset on the bench. And the guys responded." Maybe the "upset level", along with their "compete level" needs to be raised sooner in the game?
Two: Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, after being pulled last Friday versus the Penguins and sitting for the last two home games, played a solid game in his return to the crease. His rebound control was much better than it had been recently. Unfortunately, the team needs to step up and put some pucks in the opponents net to help "Bobs" out. In the last three home games, Columbus has scored a grand total of three goals, going 0-3-0. The offensive woes continue.
Three: Rookie defenseman Ryan Murray is quietly becoming a standout on this club. He scored his 2nd NHL goal against the Rangers and was above the 20 minute-mark for the sixth game in a row. He has earned more responsibility from the coaching staff, seeing time on both the power play and penalty kill. He is continuously maturing into a very good defenseman for the Blue Jackets. In other words, this kid's got game.
