Columbus Blue Jackets Must Keep Throttle Up For Full 60 Minutes

By William Chase
Getty Images
Getty Images

It didn’t take sitting up in the 400 section at Verizon Center Friday night between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals to see the differences from the beginning and end of the game.

Speaking to the media before the game, John Tortorella summed it up. “If we come into the game apprehensive, we’re going to be in trouble.”

Check.

The Blue Jackets came out fast and energetic, stifling the neutral zone and getting all the chances between the two teams early. As if the strong play from Sergei Bobrovsky was a fluke on Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils, the former Vezina winner made another highlight-reel save at the end of the first to keep the two scoreless.

The Caps scored first, however, and the dead legs that Columbus brought into Jersey on Tuesday seemed to be plaguing them after the first half of the game Friday.

Both teams were sloppy, particularly in the third period with neither completing crisp passes and both seemingly going through the motions, until a Matt Calvert goal withstood a challenge, and the team picked up its perkiness.

The score, however, stayed 2-1, Bobrovsky was the second star of the game, the defense is vastly improving, and “we have to get our offense right,” said Tortorella in the postgame press conference.

Check again.

Friday’s result marked the seventh game in 11 in which the club has scored two or fewer goals. Brandon Saad missed the game due to illness, and Ryan Johansen returned. One has to think the offense will pick the pace up.

However, with points at a premium already this early into the season, the Jackets know they best get going now.

Regardless of whether the players or even coaching staff admits to it, while they might not be out of shape, it’s obvious they have not played a full 60 lately.

Torts referenced the trip back from the Jackets’ game against the Colorado Avalanche last Saturday. They had a 47-minute practice Monday, dead legs and a win Tuesday in which Bob played his best and bailed the team out and almost the same situation Friday night.

I personally don’t see the dead-legs issue becoming a real cause for concern. Tortorella is getting to know his team and learning how far he can push them. At 2-9 on Halloween, however, and only four points in the division, Columbus knows it only gets tougher as they embark on the dreaded West Coast swing, starting with the San Jose Sharks Tuesday night before stops against the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks.

William Chase is a Columbus Blue Jackets writer for www.RantSports.comFollow him on Twitter @William_Chase88 “Like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on LinkedIn and Google.

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