There weren't many positives in home loss
From the minute fans started arriving in the arena district, you could tell there was something in the air other than the rain. RBar, the hockey bar near the arena, was nearly completely taken over by Red Wings fans. Fanatics Sportsbook was also taken over. The arena was no different, as it reminded me of the CBJ's early days when it was easily 70% Detroit fans.
The game was also taken over by the Red Wings, with the Blue Jackets losing 4-0.
There's honestly not a lot to take from this game. The Jackets played well in the first period but had some terrible luck. And once Shane Gostisbehere beat Jackets goalie Spencer Martin 8:51 into the first, that was all they needed. The Wings would then score three more in the second period to finish it off. Michael Rasmussen, Dylan Larkin, and Andrew Copp all scored in the second, with two of them being powerplay goals.
3 Takeaways from the Loss
JIRICEK SHOWS GLIMPSES OF GREATNESS
Rookie David Jiricek was quite possibly the best player on the ice for the Jackets. The young guy made some good plays and continues to grow and gain the confidence he needs to be a star. He was four seconds shy of 19 minutes of TOI.
SEVERSON SITS
Damon Severson made an error in the second period that led to a goal, and that apparently cost him his ice time in the third period. He didn't play a shift in the third.
MARTIN CAN'T BUY A WIN
Goalie Spencer Martin lost his 11th straight regular season game. He only faced five shots in the first period, but in the second he faced 13. Two of the goals he gave up were powerplay goals by Detroit. He would finish with a .857 save %.
Next up for the Jackets will be the Calgary Flames at home on Friday. The Flames will be on the second half of a back-to-back coming into Columbus. This would be a good time to jump on a tired Flames team before they get their legs. The Jackets hope to have goalie Elvis Merzlikins back by then, who has been sick.
Join Jason Newland's Columbus Blue Jacket page on Bunches, a new app that connects sports fans. Also, you can watch a new YouTube game show about the Blue Jackets, Around the Fifth Line.