Christiansen continues to show physical side for Blue Jackets
SUNRISE, Fla. — He has rosy cheeks and a bit of a baby face, but don’t let Blue Jackets rookie defenseman Jake Christiansen’s looks fool you.
His open-ice hit on Florida’s Chris Tierney during the Jackets’ 4-0 loss Tuesday was swift, on target and heavy after he noticed the puck bobble at the end of the veteran’s stick. Tierney’s fall also precipitated a fall by Blue Jackets center Cole Sillinger that smacked the head of the Panthers forward into the ice. Tierney left the game with an upper-body injury and the sequence set off Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk, who picked up a roughing penalty for retaliation.
It’s something Christiansen expected.
“If you have a hit like that, obviously there are guys who are going to come after you,” he said. “I’m trying to incorporate that into my game. I don’t get the chance too much to step up like that, but there’s going to be guys that are coming after you after that.”
Christiansen is known more for his offensive skills, but he’s trying to stick around the NHL by adding to his toolkit.
“It has to be part of his game, and I think it is,” said Jackets coach Brad Larsen. “I think it comes natural. He plays hard. He’s not a soft kid by any means. He’s very competitive. I’ve seen him pop a few guys and it’s a good, clean hit. He steps up, sees a guy, the guy’s looking down at the puck. It’s great. I think it’s got to be part of his game.”
Laine’s return coincides with another power outage
Patrik Laine is showing signs that he’s nearing one of his patented hot streaks, but the Blue Jackets’ power play isn’t part of it yet. The Jackets
went 0 for 3 against the Panthers and are only 3 for 26 (11.5%) in seven games since Laine rejoined the lineup following a sprained ankle.
Laine has scored eight goals in 15 games, but none on power plays. The biggest issue continues to be the setup of the top unit with Laine and Johnny Gaudreau both feeling most comfortable
playing the left side of the Jackets’ 1-3-1.
Gaudreau, a left-handed shot, feels most comfortable in that spot making plays on his strong side. Laine, a righthanded shooter, has a one-timer best deployed from the left circle. Gaudreau is still getting used to playing his “off” side on the right, but he and Laine have also started interchanging spots on the fly to be more unpredictable.
PANTHERS 4, BLUE JACKETS 0
Columbus 0 0 0 - 0
Florida 1 2 1 - 4
FIRST PERIOD: 1. Florida, Montour 6 (Reinhart, Forsling), 9:04. Penalty - Gudbranson, CBJ (hooking), 9:53.
SECOND: 2. Florida, Tkachuk 14 (Reinhart, Barkov), 3:47; 3. Florida, Barkov 6 (Tkachuk, Forsling), 19:16. Penalties - Tkachuk, FLA (roughing), 5:38; Tkachuk, FLA (holding), 8:15; Gavrikov, CBJ (holding), 10:37.
THIRD: 4. Florida, Reinhart 8, 18:14 (en). Penalties - Montour, FLA (tripping), 7:50; Kuraly, CBJ (tripping), 11:28.
Shots on goal: Columbus 10-9-4 - 23; Florida 11-9-8 - 28. Power plays: Columbus 0 of 3; Florida 0 of 3. Goalies: Columbus, Merzlikins 4-8-0 (27 shots-23 saves); Florida, Bobrovsky 6-8-1 (22-22). A: 15,819. T: 2:21.