The CBJ Writer

Period 1 would not be the greatest for the Columbus Blue Jackets.  At 17:10 F. Zetterlund would score for the Devils.  This would be the only goal of Period 1, leaving it a 1-0 Devils lead.  Their lucky Elvis Merzlikins was more on point than should've been required.  He kept them in this game, case and point for this Period, the shots were 17 for the Devils and just 5 for the Blue Jackets.  We were in our zone far too much.   Period 2 was a goal for Devils at 3:22, scored by N. Hischier and then at 3:55, another goal would go to the Devils, from R. Graves.  I'll even admit that Elvis Merzlikins probably could've stopped these two, he was fresh off an intermission.  3-0 Devils lead, but the Blue Jackets would get on the board, thanks to Yegor Chinakhov.  Assists would go to Cole Sillinger and Kent Johnson.  One more goal would come for the Devils, before the end of this period.  However, to me it was a bit of a ridiculous situation which resulted in such.  Number 14 of the

Although I'm still truly disgusted by the arrogance of some people that call themselves "fans" of the Columbus Blue Jackets, I have some truly amazing readers who cheer and stick with their team no matter what, like me.  Folks, this is for you.   For the rest of you who are about to click out of this post and unfollow me, consider how many players are out for this team, how many times the lines have changed to cover that and how many players we've already called from Cleveland.  I particularly want those who've booed this team the last two games, and especially the fan who yelled "you suck" so loud after the third Bruins goal so loud, I heard it on the radio.  I hope you feel better, because that clearly helped the team you paid to go watch this evening! Alright, moving on to my fellow fans who are still reading this.  Tonight, was again, not ideal.  A 4-0 shutout at home is painful, I'm not dismissing that fact.  You must consider, we have several d

After an elbow sprain sidelined him in the second period of Game 1, against the Carolina Hurricanes and Carolina, Patrik Laine is set to make an early comeback tonight!  His estimated time out was 3-4 weeks, but with Finland's Global Series just over a week away, the native of that country coming back early if able does not surprise me.  Gus Nyquist has done an amazing job filling in for his teammate on the top line, consisting of Johnny Gaudreau-Boone Jenner and himself.  However, it will be great fun to watch Patrik Laine rejoin his team tonight and give them all a run for their season point totals thus far.   Welcome Back #29 and good luck against the Arizona Coyotes! Go CBJ!   Source: Tweet by Dylan Tyrer (@DylanTyrer on Twitter) and retweeted by CBJ Radio (@CBJRadio on Twitter) " Patrik Laine is back tonight as the #CBJ welcome the #Yotes to Nationwide Arena. Pregame starts at 6:30 before puck drop at 7:00 on @971thefan ."  

If playing the Pitsburgh Penguins at home is a tall order, playing the New York Rangers in Madison Square Garden is a challenge.  I said this last night after that 3-1 Blue Jackets Lead turned into a stunning 6-3 Blue Jackets home loss.  Something else I said last night too was how going into this arena and game, with a chip on their shoulders could pay off.  With Daniil Tarasov looking for his first starting-win of the season and Liam Foudy taking to the NHL ice for the first time this season (in for a newly injured Justin Danforth), post season-ending shoulder sugary earlier this year, the table was set for an interesting match.  So, let's recap 5th Line! Period 1 was ruled by the Blue Jackets, just as it was last night.  The Blue Jackets would score goal one, by way of Zach Werenski, who nets his second of the young season.  This would come at 1754, the only assist being credited to Liam Foudy.  How's that for a welcome back?  Period 1 you get an assist.  This would also be

Aside from Period 3 of the last Columbus Blue Jackets Game (Nashville Predators @ Columbus Blue Jackets) Period 1 of this game had to be the next best this team has played in the 2022-23 NHL Season.  They ran the game throughout the first 20 minutes.  First, the offense was on point.  At 7:13, Captain Boone Jenner would find his first goal of the season.  The loan assist on this goal would go to Johnny Gaudreau, who already has 7 points this season.  This was followed up with a goal from Jack Roslovic, his first of the 2022-23 NHL Season.  His goal would have no assists.  The defense would have a great showing, helping Elvis Merzlikins protect the Blue Jackets net all period, resulting in a 2-0 Blue Jackets lead.  They would also outshoot the Penguins by 10, a 17-7 comparison.   However, in Period 2 the Penguins would find their grove.  J. Archibald would score at 3:43, cutting the Blue Jackets lead to just 1 goal.  Then, something would happen which we've been waiting months for 5

This game would put you in mind of Tuesday's when the Vancouver Canucks came to Nationwide Arena.  How so?  Period 1 would belong to our opponent, the Nashville predators.  At 3:16 T. Jeannot would score, then at 10:45, former Blue Jacket R. Johansen would score also.  This would give them a 2-0 lead after Period 1, just like the Canucks had Tuesday.   Period 2 would differ a little bit.  Jake Bean would score one for the hometown team at 16:09, his first goal of the 2022-23 NHL Season.  Assists on his goal would go to Kent Johnson, his second of the season and Yegor Chinakhov, his third.  Unlike Tuesday night however, the Blue Jackets would not tie the game, but instead Y. Trenin would score a late goal at 17:38.  This would give the Predators a 3-1 lead after Period 2 and put the Blue Jackets into a 2-goal hole.  Challenge extended, but would it be met? YES.  One goal or another, Johnny Gaudreau and that cannon are going to be friends.  (Cheesey play on words, but I like it.)  Th

I'll start this blog with one simple fact, it isn't how you start a game, but how you finish.  I believe that statement sums up last night's second Columbus Blue Jackets home game nicely.  Period 1 would go to the Vancouver Canucks, with a goal from B. Horvat at 7:51 and another goal from E. Patterson at 11:11, they would have a 2-1 lead.   However, in Period 2 the Columbus Blue Jackets would regroup and cut this goal deficit in half.  At 15:42, Justin Danforth would take a pretty shot and turn it into a beautiful, first season goal.  Vladislav Gavrikhov would gain assist 1 on the season, along with Yegor Chinakhov.  2-1 Canucks lead would maintain after Period 2, but then would come Period 3 and the Blue Jackets were ready for win 1!  At 6:18 the Blue Jackets would even the score at 2 each, after a goal from Zach Werenski.  This would be goal 1 for him this season.  Boone Jenner would pick up assist 2 on the young season, as would Johnny Gaudreau.  At 7:00 on the nose, the

Alright 5th Line, you came out in full force to welcome the team back and the final score tonight takes nothing away from Columbus being our home.  Losses happen, so let's recap this one so I can give my constructive thoughts, and we can look for to the Blues tomorrow night in St. Louis. Period 1 was an incredible showing for the Blue Jackets.  Johnny Gaudreau would make emends with the cannon as he'd score the first goal of the season in Nationwide Arena!  This goal would come at 2:21 and have a primary assist from Justin Danforth and a secondary assist for Captain Boone Jenner.  C. Perry would then score at 14:08 for the Lightning.  Quickly after, S. Stamkos would add another, making it 2-1 Lighning.  This would come at 15:21. Seconds later at 15:58 would come a goal from Gus Nyquist!  Kent Johnson would get his first primary assist of the year, while Erik Gudbranson would get his first secondary assist as a Blue Jacket.  Unfortunately, at 18:55, R. Colton would add another f

Back in May, this night couldn't come soon enough.  It's the start of a brand-new NHL Season and the excitement which comes with it.  For the Blue Jackets we all expected Patrik Laine to be a big part of Opening Night, but alas that won't be the case.  As many of you know and I posted yesterday, he suffered a sprained elbow in Game 1, against the Carolina Hurricanes.  Thankfully it wasn't a break.  He will miss 3-4 weeks, putting his ability to play in Finland, in early November, at risk.  However, until that verdict is made 5th Line, I hope for the very best and that he can play when his home country hosts the NHL Global Series 2022.   Without Laine we do have some movement on lines, which is why I'm writing this post.  When Laine was injured, it was an on-the-spot decision as to who would take his vital top-line spot.  Nothing connected that night, and this is understandable; who expects one of the stars to go out in Game 1 after all?  Just rotten luck.  With time

This night started with a fire, and that's even with the cannon safely at home in Nationwide Arena!  Starting Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins is ill, and I wish him a speedy recovery.  In the meantime, we got to see a young Daniil Tarasov get the 2022-23 Columbus Blue Jackets Season Start.  With Jet Greaves on Emergency Recall from the Cleveland Monsters (in exchange for Kent Johnson to keep with NHL's rule of 23) they would step on the ice with the Caralina Hurricanes, ready for the former 2022 Stanley Cup Playoff Team's challenge.  Goal 1 would go into the books as one scored by a very familiar Blue Jacket name:  Patrik Laine. It would come from Zach Werenski alone, just 0:11 into Period 2.  (Yes, period 1 would end with an even 0-0 draw, and it was incredibly fun to hear the two teams compete so evenly and well during this time!)  After this, tragedy would strike.  Also, I know that's a strong word, but from what I heard about the Laine injury...it seems eerily acceptabl

It's finally here, well almost...roughly 25.5 hours (by the time I post this) stands between us and the 2022-23 Columbus Blue Jackets Season.  Their first game will be at 7:00 PM, tomorrow evening (Wednesday October 12) in North Carolina against the Hurricanes.  We know as of yesterday the 23 lucky players who will travel to game 1 this season, and it is a heavy hitting list.  I for one don't know how Head Coach Brad Larson will mix up these players, but what I do know is what I've seen and that in my point of view, this right here is something special 5th Line.   As many of you know, I've followed the team since I was six years old, and they were established.  Sometimes I even wear my XXL Juniors jersey from 2000 to games still because it's awesome!  (Thanks mom.)  Further, I started writing in May of 2022, right as the NHL emerged, trying to smooth a way through the global pandemic, so a playoff could take place.  I was with Skullking sports at the time and althou

Of all 8 preseason games the Columbus Blue Jackets have played, this was the ultimate preview for the season to come.  Not only are the Washington Capitals a rival of the Blue Jackets, but both teams had several of their best players ready for this matchup.  With that being said, how toe to toe this game was should encourage even the most skeptical Blue Jackets fan, no doubt.   A. Mantha would score first, at 9:56, for the Capitals.  This lead would end after a Patrik Laine goal, scored at 10:37.  At 14:59, Yegor Chinakhov would score his 7th point in 6 games, continuing his point streak!  As I said on Twitter "Yegor Chinakhov isn't on fire, he is the fire."  (Also, someone tried to make this into a Russia thing, and I blocked them.  Be advised I don't tolerate that.  I cover hockey, not politics.)  Adam Boqvist, would add a second assist to his preseason.  Secondary assist would go to Johnny Gaudreau, his 5th assist this preseason.  Before this first period could clo

Okay, I'll start off by saying I feel a bit bad for all the pain the St. Louis Blues went through to get here tonight.  Clearly it shook them and although that stinks, travel issues happen to every team.  Some are easier to put behind you than others however, and tonight's arrival about a half hour before an already postponed puck drop was difficult for obvious reasons.  The Blue Jackets (as would any other team preseason or seanal competition) didn't change a thing about their play and it showed.  They took control from the start and didn't relinquish it at all.  Period 1 scoring broke down as follows: Goal 1- Patrik Laine!  Primary Assist- Zach Werenski.  Secondary Assist- Andrew Peeke.  (1:03)   Goal 2- Yegor Chinakhov!  Primary Assist- Jakub Voracek.  (12:03) Goal 3- Jack Roslovic!  Primary Assist- Sean Kuraly.  Secondary Assist- Andrew Peeke.  (13:56) Yes, Period 1 would conclude with a 3-0 Blue Jackets lead.  In this period, we'd see a fight between Mathieu Ol

Alright, before we get into the game recap tonight, let me point out a fact.  This game against the Hurricanes was a challenge and then some for this Blue Jackets team we sent tonight.  Why?  We sent a young team with few veteran players, but even those returning players for us were on the young side. The Hurricanes, on the other hand, used this as a practice with just about the same lineup the CBJ will face next Wednesday, when the season truly opens with this exact matchup in this exact location!  With that being said, lets recap this game.  Period 1 would open with promises for the Blue Jackets, Yegor Chinakhov would open the scoring with his 4th goal in just 3 games!  The goal would come at 5:54 and the primary and only assist on this goal would go to Justin Danforth, who was wearing an "A" tonight, by the way.  Now, after this, the 1-0 lead would be somewhat short-lived 5th Line. 7:15 J. Kothaniemi would settle the game at a 1-1 tie.  Then, S. Noesen would take it up to

This is a great moment for Goaltender Nolen Lalonde, but I for one am not surprised it happened.  Nolen Lalonde has been given a contract by the Columbus Blue Jackets.  With him being new to the NHL this is labeled an Entry Level Contracted (due to it being his first).  The contract will last for three years (seasons) and her certainly earned it.   I've written about him being a standout since I first saw him play against the Pittsburgh Penguins exactly 1 week ago today.  Ever since if he's been in net I've noted his ability to stop pucks and that is why he not only deserves this, but also why I'm excited to report on him in the future as a Cleveland Monster and or Columbus Blue Jacket.   Congratulations Lalonde! Go CBJ Source: CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR)  (Tweet Only)  Retweeted by Dylan Tryer (@DylanTryer)  October 2, 2022.  Twitter  Dylan Tyrer on Twitter: "Lalonde has looked great this preseason. Nice to see a guy get an opportunity and run with it! #

I had high hopes for this game being a good example of what's to come in the 2022-23 NHL Season, and it did not disappoint.  Both the Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets would put forth some heavy hitters tonight, giving us a fun preview of what's to come in just a couple weeks.  This was apparent though the whole game, but we'll start from the beginning.  Period 1 would see the first goal going to A. Protas at 7:01, giving the Capitals an early 1-0 lead.  Carson Meyer, one of our Ohio home-grown players, would take that lead from them at 12:03.  The primary assist would be credited to Sean Kuraly, while the secondary would go to Mathieu Olivier.  Not long after this a scuffle would break out between Olivier and a Capitals player, who set his sights on one of our centerman.  A penalty was handed down to Olivier, giving the Capitals a Powerplay, but the Blue Jackets would kill it off just fine.  After 1 period the score would be 1-1.  After Period 2, full of incred