Columbus: The Little Engine That Could
So far the Columbus Blue Jackets v Pittsburgh Penguins playoff series to proving to be a titantic back and forth affair where to everyone's utter shock, the series stands at 2-2 with over 28 goals scored and all four games have been fighting 4-3 wins for each side.
Firstly, it is great to see a struggling side like Columbus make it this far, particularly after my experts dismissed their chances after their strongest link Rick Nash departed for the New York Rangers in 2012. They are not a flashy side and haven't play the most thrilling hockey in the NHL this season, but flair isn't always the key ingredient to a good side- so just what makes this time so effective?
The Jackets only just snuck into the playoffs via the Wild Card slot for 7th overall in the East, but after their hard slog, they certainly earned their place. Ryan Johansen has stepped up this season for the Jackets and has bagged an incredible 33 goals in regular season alone which astoundingly has seen him above high scoring players such as Ryan Getzlaf, Jarome Iginla and Patrick Kane! Former Rangers cast off, Brandon Dubinsky has found form with 50 hard earned points and James Wisniewski has also pitched in his fair share with 51 points.
Last years Vezina trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky has been solid, if not unremarkable this season, but has still came up good when required and has posted 32 wins with 5 shutouts and a GAA Average of 2.38. But its then men in front of him who have truly made the different as Columbus only allowed 216 goals against this season, the sixth lowest total of the Eastern Conference!
Despite the disappointment of losing megabucks signing Nathon Horton for the most of the season through injury and the normally reliable Marion Gaborik failed to kick this franchise and his eventual trade to the LA Kings, this ragtag team has shown some true fighting spirit and it has been their form since the turn of the year that deservedly booked them a playoff spot. From a possible 41 games, the Blue Jackets took an impressive 26 wins, including a streak of 8 in a row in January! On merit alone, this team has scored highly.
Even though I predicted a clean sweep for the Penguins, it is good to see this isn't just a one sided playoff affair and I expect the Jackets are going to make them sweat for the remainder of this series- all the best lads, from both of us!
Firstly, it is great to see a struggling side like Columbus make it this far, particularly after my experts dismissed their chances after their strongest link Rick Nash departed for the New York Rangers in 2012. They are not a flashy side and haven't play the most thrilling hockey in the NHL this season, but flair isn't always the key ingredient to a good side- so just what makes this time so effective?
The Jackets only just snuck into the playoffs via the Wild Card slot for 7th overall in the East, but after their hard slog, they certainly earned their place. Ryan Johansen has stepped up this season for the Jackets and has bagged an incredible 33 goals in regular season alone which astoundingly has seen him above high scoring players such as Ryan Getzlaf, Jarome Iginla and Patrick Kane! Former Rangers cast off, Brandon Dubinsky has found form with 50 hard earned points and James Wisniewski has also pitched in his fair share with 51 points.
Last years Vezina trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky has been solid, if not unremarkable this season, but has still came up good when required and has posted 32 wins with 5 shutouts and a GAA Average of 2.38. But its then men in front of him who have truly made the different as Columbus only allowed 216 goals against this season, the sixth lowest total of the Eastern Conference!
Despite the disappointment of losing megabucks signing Nathon Horton for the most of the season through injury and the normally reliable Marion Gaborik failed to kick this franchise and his eventual trade to the LA Kings, this ragtag team has shown some true fighting spirit and it has been their form since the turn of the year that deservedly booked them a playoff spot. From a possible 41 games, the Blue Jackets took an impressive 26 wins, including a streak of 8 in a row in January! On merit alone, this team has scored highly.
Even though I predicted a clean sweep for the Penguins, it is good to see this isn't just a one sided playoff affair and I expect the Jackets are going to make them sweat for the remainder of this series- all the best lads, from both of us!
Comments
Post a Comment
Comments are moderated and may take a while to appear. This is because the authors are busy/lazy/away.