Blue Jackets hope break provides reset
The Blue Jackets are in a rut. They’re 2-5-1 in December, have dropped to the brink of early elimination from the playoff race in the Eastern Conference and need to string some wins together if they want to keep their postseason hopes alive.
They’re also dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak that sent six players into isolation prior to the NHL’S holiday break. That doesn’t bode well for their odds of sparking a winning streak, but there are ways it can happen.
Here are five things the Blue Jackets can do to boost their playoff odds.
Stay afloat through COVID crisis
Coming out of the NHL’S holiday break, the Blue Jackets will likely still be missing six players who were placed on the league’s COVID-19 protocols list prior to the pause.
It’s a group that includes goalie Joonas Korpisalo, centers Boone Jenner and Jack Roslovic plus defensemen Andrew Peeke and Gabriel Carlsson. The sixth is speedy forward Eric Robinson, who’d become a force at left wing on Sean Kuraly’s line.
Laine and Boqvist make a splash
The timelines for star forward Patrik Laine (oblique strain) and defenseman Adam Boqvist (upper-body injury) to return are unclear.
Laine has missed 19 games since
leaving against the Colorado Avalanche in the third period of the Jackets’ 5-4 overtime win Nov. 3 in Denver. Boqvist hasn’t played since Dec. 9 against the Anaheim Ducks.
Laine only scored three goals in nine games prior to the injury, but he was a point-a-game player and drew a lot of attention from opposing defenders. Laine was also protecting pucks much better than he did last season, which was a huge help breaking the puck out of the Jackets’ zone and keeping shifts alive longer inside the offensive zone. Goals from his “office” inside the left faceoff circle were also bound to happen on power plays, despite the fact he’s still looking for his first power-play tally.
Boqvist has been shelved by injury twice this season but showed what kind of offensive force he can be after returning the first time. He scored six goals in 12 games prior to his latest injury, including a pair of two-goal games aided by playing in Laine’s spot on the power play.
It’s imperative for the Blue Jackets to get both back sooner than later.
Protect the puck, find the forecheck
The past month has resembled last season, which spiraled out of control amid a spate of costly turnovers.
The Blue Jackets have a wealth of young, puck-moving defensemen, but as a group, they must take another step forward and learn how to do two things
better: effectively break the puck out of their own zone and keep possessions alive inside the opponents’ blue line. Forwards must also be better at protecting the puck once they get it and support their defensemen in all three zones.
More possession should lead to more scoring chances, a better forecheck and more wins.
Spark the power play
After their scorching start on power plays, the Blue Jackets have gone ice cold. They’ve only scored once on a power play in the past nine games, going 1 for 15 (6.7%) during that time.
Part of the issue is not drawing enough penalties. They’ve averaged just 1.7 power-play situations in the past nine games after averaging 2.9 in the first 19 on the schedule.
The other issue is that the spot previously occupied by Laine and Boqvist on the man-advantage is currently a gaping void without either of them in the lineup.
Give the goalies a chance to shine
Elvis Merzlikins and Joonas Korpisalo have the talent to become the best goaltending duo in the NHL but not if they keep facing a barrage of near-impossible situations.
That was the biggest reason both saw their numbers balloon last season, and it’s become an issue again during ongoing struggles for their teammates trying to exit the defensive zone.
Goaltending and better defensive play alone could help the Jackets stay afloat.
bhedger@dispatch.com