Jackets looking for solutions on defense
For years, the Blue Jackets’ identity has been clear. They want to be sound defensively with a forecheck that drives their offense.
What they’ve been this season has often been unrecognizable.
Their defensemen have struggled to get the puck out of their own zone, forcing forwards to spend too much of their time playing defense or in the neutral zone. The forecheck has been intermittent at best.
Saturday’s 4-2 loss to Nashville was a particularly ugly one. The Predators scored twice in the first minute of the third period for the decisive goals. Vladislav Gavrikov had an ugly turnover to set up the first one, and Andrew Peeke got beat on the second.
Entering Tuesday’s game against visiting Chicago, Columbus is allowing 3.32 goals per game, 26th in the NHL.
“It's been our whole defensive corps,” coach John Tortorella said. “Let me circle back with that. It's not just our defensemen. It goes to our forwards, also. We just don't play as a cohesive unit enough minutes.
“There's going to be times you're going to be disconnected. We're just not connected enough, and I think at the defensive position it shows up more as far as what happens to them if we're not connected.”
The Blue Jackets entered the season with reason to feel good about their defensemen. Seth Jones and Zach Werenski are regarded as among the best pairs in the league. David Savard and Gavrikov
have been a reliable shutdown unit. Newcomer Michael Del Zotto has been effective this season, but no one has seized the sixth spot.
“That's not my worry,” Tortorella said of the sixth defensemen. “My worry is the top four. You're worried about everybody, but my worry is the top four. It's been inconsistent with our top four, which is a very important part of any hockey club.”
Jones acknowledged his struggles and said he has tried to play a more rugged game lately.
“I've kind of been in my own head this past week or two about being more physical and trying to lead by example,” he said.
Werenski remains out with an injury, and Del Zotto was absent from practice Monday. Tortorella said he didn't know about Del Zotto's status for Tuesday. Saon
vard, however, did practice after missing Saturday with a NON-COVID-19 illness.
Jones believes the defensive woes are correctable.
“We just have to be more decisive, just a little sharper with puck movement,” he said. “We're not talking about drastic changes here, just maybe three or four plays a game that will help our team get out of the defensive zone and enter the neutral zone and the offensive zone to create plays.”
After a spirited practice Monday, the Jackets had an extended video session. Captain Nick Foligno said the Jackets looked unrecognizable against Nashville from the team they expect to be.
“That's not who we are,” he said. “You can make every excuse. I'm more a solutions guy. We have problems. How do we fix them?
“I think our group today really focused
the solution side of it. This is how we fix it. We get back to basics, get back to who we are.”
Ticket details announced
The Blue Jackets announced their procedure for selling tickets following the state of Ohio granting permission for 10% capacity of Nationwide Arena starting with next Tuesday's game against Detroit.
Season-ticket holders will receive priority access to single-game tickets. Holders of full season tickets may purchase up to four tickets to four games. Those with half-season tickets may purchase up to four tickets to two games. Quarter-season ticket-holders may buy up to four tickets to one game. brabinowitz@dispatch.com @brdispatch