Special teams get attention during break
LAS VEGAS — The Blue Jackets got a bonus break this week as coach John Tortorella flew his team to Nevada a few days early.
While there was plenty of time for enjoying all the things Las Vegas is known for, the Jackets have been able to use this lull in the action to get some work done and help get some players healthy.
When the team’s five-day break is factored in, Tuesday’s game against the host Golden Knights is just the third for Columbus since Jan. 12. The schedule is about to get much rougher.
“It’s coming. In February and March, it’s coming,” Tortorella said.
In the heat of an NHL season, extended practices are a rarity, so Tortorella has tried to take advantage of the time off in January. The Jackets have worked a lot on special teams — both power play and penalty kill.
While the problems with Columbus’ last-place power play have been oft discussed, the penalty kill has slipped under the radar. Going into Tuesday night, the Jackets had the league’s worst power play and penalty kill away from home.
“There’s no rhyme or reason for it,” Tortorella said.
The Jackets have killed just under 70 percent of penalties on the road. In Columbus, the Jackets kill off 87 percent, which ranks fifth-best in the league. Thursday, the Jackets killed off all four Dallas power plays in a 2-1 shootout win.
“We have done a lot of video work and I thought we took a big step the other night and it was a big reason why we got the points in that game,” Tortorella said.
Jokinen gets focused
One player who has benefited from the break in the schedule is newly acquired forward Jussi Jokinen.
Picked up off waivers from Los Angeles on Wednesday, the veteran was in the lineup the following night against the Dallas Stars.
Jokinen, 34, had been a healthy scratch by the Kings for the previous four games and had not played since early January. Getting to know his new teammates a little better was nice; getting some good practice time was better.
“That was my first game in two weeks,” said Jokinen, who is centering Columbus’ third line and getting time on the penalty kill and power play.
“It has been great to get in a few hard practices and now a morning skate. I’m becoming more familiar with the systems, my linemates. I’m getting my legs back.”
Atkinson works
Winger Cam Atkinson was one of about a dozen players who took Tuesday’s optional morning skate at T-Mobile Arena.
Atkinson is working his way back from a fractured foot which occurred when a hard shot from Seth Jones hit him on Dec. 23.