Jackets plot power play plan
The Blue Jackets are going outside the box with their latest choice to play in front of the net on power plays.
Rather than going with a power forward to screen the goaltender’s sight, they’re giving 5-foot-8 Cam Atkinson a shot when Columbus hosts the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday at Nationwide Arena.
“It’s nice to have a big guy to screen, but you want to be able to make plays down there and be able to score some backdoor goals and some hand-eye goals out of the air or get some rebounds for your teammates,” said Atkinson, who will get his first experience playing in that spot. “That’s where we’re focused on, and we’re moving the puck around well (in practice).”
Columbus went 0 for 5 on power plays during an 8-2 loss Saturday in Tampa, which sunk the Blue Jackets to 19th in the NHL (17.4 percent). Atkinson played on the second power-play unit after starting the season with the first group.
The Blue Jackets have shuffled the deck chairs with their power play, looking for balanced scoring, but the search is ongoing. Atkinson’s move down low is the latest change.
“It gives that power play a little bit of a different dynamic, of making plays off the one side, off (Anthony Duclair’s) side, a left-hand shot to a right-hand shot low,” coach John Tortorella said. “There’s a lot of things Cam can do. I’m not worried about him being a guy in front of the net, because I think he has the willingness to be there.”
Atkinson might be small, but brings a knack for scoring goals.
“I like it because I’m around the net and I feel like all my goals are around there,” he said. “Obviously, it’s practice, but the last couple times we’ve practiced I’ve had success and scored a couple goals. Hopefully, it translates into the game.”
Tortorella didn’t give an update on injured defenseman Seth Jones after practice, but did provide one to 97.1 FM later in the day. The coach said Jones, who sprained the MCL in his right knee Sept. 25, is trending toward the early side of a four- to six-week recovery time.
Tortorella also said Jones has skated for two days under the guidance of assistant coach Kenny McCudden.
The Blue Jackets practiced with the same lines from the third period against the Lightning, with Josh Anderson at right wing on the third line and Oliver Bjorkstrand on the fourth. … They also practiced special teams and defending 2-on-1 situations, which led to the lopsided score against Tampa. … Bobrovsky has a 10-3-1 record with a 1.91 goals-against average and .933 save percentage in 14 starts against the Flyers, his former team.