Jackets need top line revival
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — As much as the Blue Jackets might need it, their “identity line” isn’t walking through the door Sunday before they play the Vancouver Canucks.
Nick Foligno is back in Columbus because of a personal issue, Josh Anderson is now on the second line and Boone Jenner is flanked on the third by Alexander Wennberg and Oliver Bjorkstrand, who are more finesse than physical.
“Nick isn’t here and Andy’s probably our best player right now, so that’s not going to happen,” coach John Tortorella said Saturday, referring to the combination of Foligno, Jenner and Anderson. “No matter where (Jenner) plays, he’s going to play his style. That’s all he knows. But the key for us is to get some scoring from our top line." Ah, yes, them.
The top line of Artemi Panarin, Pierre-luc Dubois and Cam Atkinson remain a focal point because of their offensive slump.
They haven’t had a goal since Atkinson’s two in a 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 9 at Nationwide Arena. They have just four assists among them in the past six games (none by Dubois), and they even had a “clear the air” meeting about it over dinner in Calgary last week.
Tortorella broke them up midway through a 4-1 loss Thursday at Edmonton, flip-flopping Panarin with Ryan Dzingel on the second line, but the trio was back together for an uptempo practice Saturday at the University of British Columbia’s Father Bauer Arena.
It’s clear that with only eight games left, riding a threegame winless streak, Tortorella is looking higher up the lineup this time for a jump-start.
“We need Luc’s line to play better,” he said. “We need Luc’s line to score some goals.”
Panarin hasn’t scored in 11 games, Dubois in 13 games, and Atkinson in six.
They appeared to be pulling out of it Tuesday in a 4-2 loss at Calgary, creating chances, but Dubois hit a goal post and the crossbar — just inches from two goals. It was a stinging reminder of how things have gone the past month for all three.
They weren’t nearly as effective Thursday in Edmonton, but what line was in that game — other than the Oilers’ top unit centered by star Connor Mcdavid?
“Calgary, Boston, we had a really good run going as far as how we were playing and how we were supposed to play,” Tortorella said. “During the year, I can talk about not having the result, watching the process … we need both right now because we’re running out of time.”
It wouldn’t hurt to have some identity restored through physicality, too, which Jenner and Anderson can still bring.
“I think for me to bring my game, I have to have that, so I don’t think I want to play any differently,” Jenner said. “I’ve just got to bring what I bring and do it.”
bhedger@dispatch.com @Brianhedger