A couple of weeks, and a lot of disappointment!  That can pretty much sum up the rollercoaster ride we have been on.  After an exciting 4-1 start to the season, the Blue Jackets have fizzled going 3-4-1 since.  This is something we never get use to, even though the history of this team is exactly that, a rollercoaster.  Streaks of 4,5,6 wins followed by 3,4,5 losses, a couple more wins, 3 more losses, up and down, where does it stop?  I guess we shouldn't get to excited, this can pretty much sum up 75% of the NHL, but then again, we want to be like the upper 25%.

Lets start off with what is right!  The power play has improved tremendously from last year.  At 22.8%, the Jackets rank 11th in the league, a 10.1% increase from last year (dead last).  The real answer behind the turnaround, more focus on that area of the game.  We haven't really made any addition to the PP personnel, but we have given others a chance.  Stralman has added a right handed shot, but his presence hasn't really had that much of an impact (only scoring once and directly assisting on one).  I think the fact the we have focused so much on improving in that area is the real reason we have improved.   Next is the penalty kill, something we have been good at for a while.  Altough we are 18th in the league this year at 79.8%, that is very compariable to our 82.1% from last year.  Special teams have proven to be a big bonus to our team this year, and must continue if we want to win.  There are several people that have contributed to the success of special teams, coaches, players, but look no further than the Captain.  At times I have wondered where the discipline was with this team, and even Rick, but I think its a matter of coaching and time.  Nash is awesome, he has stepped up his game a notch and is becoming an elite player, not just a real good one.  I have changed his name to "glue", that is what I will be refering to him as.  Without him, this team would be in pieces, he is what holds this team together, sometimes single handedly.

Now, what is wrong. . . . Where do we start?  Where our special teams flourish, our even strength lacks discipline and dedication.  Guys haven't bought in on the plan, or the plan is flawed, I haven't determined which as of yet.  Every game, there are 1 or 2 goals scored with 3 of our guys standing in front of the goal.  We seem to compete for 75% of a shift, and 75% of a game, but its the other 25% that we are lazy where we get beat.  I also think our personnel is just not good enough to be an elite team.  We have plenty of depth, oh yes, we have lots of situational players.  We have several 3rd and 4th line guys who are needed on this team.  We have guys in the minors and who get scratched each night that are competitive, and will be needed as the season goes on.  What we don't have, is that complimentary winger and that top notch defencman.  Sure, Vermette, Voracek, and Umberger are good players, but they are not a Malkin or a Heatley.  The top teams not only have a stud, they have a secondary guy who is almost as deadly, we need that and Juice just ain't it.  The defense will also have to be addressed, we lack speed, intensity, and basic puck handling skills on that end.  Really its not that bad, 7 wins, 15 points, all before Nov. 2, better than what it could be.  But things must "change" if we are to compete over the next few months.