Islanders at Blue Jackets [open game thread]

The Columbus cable feed showed Hitchcock’s pre game (5:37 pm) locker room address to the team, where Hitchcock went more into the gameplan for defeating the Islanders’ system.

No real surprises, but essentially he said the centers have to be even more aware and supportive in the breakout, coming back to get the pucks from the D-men, because “the wingers won’t be open” thanks to the Islanders’ pinching.

Also warned all forwards to come back hard (“no dawdling”) to provide support since the Isles will likely throw three forecheckers at them.

It was fun stuff. Definitely would be nice for the NHL to do more of it, although I could see why NHL coaches wouldn’t want that too often. Maybe only when they’re facing last-place teams :)

MacDonald has made some great saves — shots are 11-2 Columbus, 10 minutes in.

We had Campoli pinch in hard to get a shot that forced an excellent glove save. The puck rang around the other side, and Witt pinched in for the check, taking his man but allowing the puck to go buy for the other forward to create a rush. That rush would have been closer to a breakaway if not for … Campoli hustling back, angling off the puck carrier on his off-side of the ice.

Well done, boys.

Tough call, but probably necessary. Umberger’s path was headed to where MacDonald (just beyond the top of the crease) had already established position. BJ announcers say Witt pushed Umberger into the goalie, but I don’t think Witt’s involvement was the decisive factor — Umberger was headed that way with or without Witt (as a result of trying to avoid Witt at that).

particuarly after the last game

Picked up Andy.

Bad move?

Flipped to Hockey Night in Canada during the break. Don Cherry narrates video of the Capitals walking in from the team bus, compared to video of the Lightning and Senators walking in. He says, “See, the Capitals look like a classy team, first place.” Then continues on, saying the Lightning and Senators look like last-place teams, “like thugs … they’re gonna steal your hubcaps. Look at these guys.”

Was kinda funny, but the only difference between the teams (they all wore suits, of course) was that the Capitals weren’t wearing woolie hats, whereas some of the Sens and Lightning were.

As a weakling in the cold, I must resemble that remark, since I’m always wearing a hat at the first sign of winter. Thug pride then for me!

“Carry the flag” is the marketing slogan, and they show pics of gorgeous girls getting Blue Jackets tattoos and such. It’s a nice fantasy, anyway. That fanbase certainly deserves a playoff appearance by now.

The Blue Jackets have killed off 10 straight power plays.

By Streit rushing, from Hunter’s feed. Mason made a good save.

Hmm … the pinch followed by Hunter and Streit not being able to come back in time to prevent Chimera’s break-in — which included a nifty shot over MacDonald’s glove.

Great play to create the SH breakaway (after Hilbert’s horrible clear almost gave them an open point shot), and Park makes a sweet move coming in from the right boards.

Huge, just before the end of the second.

by MacDonald on the wraparound by Chimera.

Great move by Comeau going around the D. Jackman tries to jam the rebound home — and would have if not for the quick whistle.

Superb play by Bergenheim to give himself a breakaway — and INSANE hustle and pokecheck by Nash to make sure no shot got off. Damn.

Damn, what a turning point — from the Bergenheim breakaway to a scramble and goal by the Jackets. Outlook: not good.

A chance to inch back in…

forgot he was even playing.

Amazing the difference in him as an Islander before the Tucker injury and, well, pretty much ever since. Just not the same.

Wow … clear crosscheck from Streit, but weak. Not surprised Voracek got a diving, because he went down like he was shot, and then he really played it up like he was hurt.

with 1:00 left, Isles down 3-1.

…and BJs hemming Isles into their own zone.

Six straight losses for Isles. 0-4 on the 4-game trip.