Boston Bruins @ Columbus Blue Jackets: 2022-23 NHL Season Game 9 Recap

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 defensemen already out and this is Game 9 of the Blue Jackets NHL Season.  This is equally true for the offense.  I for one didn't expect to see Laine already recovering from an injury, whereas Justin Danforth is already out all season with a serious shoulder injury.  To those who believe I'm making excuses for this team, I'm not, these are the hard facts. Each time a player is injured the lines do change and this is hard to build around when a player is seemingly injured each game.  Laine was injured, Danforth was injured, Blankenburg was injured, Boqvist was injured; all of these happened in their own game's, meaning each time a line (if not multiple lines) changed.  Honest, this is obvious when you see players not connecting passes from men their playing with.  Why?  Each player is different, and this is why consistency is so vital for any sports team, period.  Many other NHL Teams can plug in players at will and still look like a playoff team, but (and this is also going to annoy you but I'm saying it anyway) this is still a young team. Several Blue Jackets are in year 2 of their NHL careers, while some like David Jiricek haven't played one till tonight.  You may not like it and based off what I've heard on the radio and read on social media you don't, but from a person who watched a family member play hockey and has covered this team for two and a half years, just because you sign one amazing player, it doesn't grant you a Stanley Cup on a silver platter folks.  It just doesn't.  

And if you really don't like me now, go listen to John Davidson said in his interview with Bob McElligot and Jody Shelley on "The Inside Edge" this past week.  He said himself that they're "building" a championship team, which means this is a work in progress.  As a fan base many of us knew that we were in a "rebuild" phase when John Tortorella left and Brad Larson took over as Head Coach, not to mention the veteran players who we traded and the young talent we brought in. Again, signing one incredible player doesn't change this.  We are "building" toward a strong future and the growing pains hurt.  I know many are complaining that it's been 22 years, but many teams in this league are still waiting for a Stanley Cup and have been established longer than we, while some cities are still fighting to even have a team.  I know many are sick of hearing this too, but I really think some fans need to see how lucky we are.  An NHL Team is not a right.  

In regard to the game itself, there are glimpses of good, but when the passes aren't there and the defense is just outskated, losses happen.  None of these players or coaches want to lose, yes, they get paid no matter what, but these guys want the glory of winning their conference and a cup.  They want the glory and name recognition.  

So, 5th Line, I know this isn't the most uplifting post, but when this team will get there.  We can have a complete and horrible, under 500 season and you know what?  I'll still be here, cheering on this team, my team, out team 5th Line.  Those of you who are deeply rooted in this fan base will be right there with me.  Also, I understand that Elvis Merzlikins backed up the booing fans being in the right.  I may not agree with him in that regard, and everyone has their own perspective on that.  However, he said a few things I did really like.  First, "I believe in this team".  Someone has to bring this team together, and maybe it will be him.  You don't need to wear a letter to bring a hockey team together, that is one fact I can't stress enough.  The second thing he said is that this isn't a defense, offense or goaltending issue, it's a "team" issue.  The Columbus Blue Jackets need to fix the problems their facing as a whole team, because placing blame on one group or one person (like some fans and even media outlets have) is not going to solve anything!  

Game 10 will be in New Jersey, against the Devils on October 30th.  Puck drop on Sunday is set for 2:00 PM.  73 NHL Games left this season folks, and maybe this will be a season for growth.  The good thing is that beyond players returning, mainly Justin Danforth with that likely season ending injury, this team won't change much in my mind.  Work out the kinks and major hiccups, sake ahead and look to the next game.  There are lessons to be learned in the past games, but if we dwell there too long, they can't be applied to the present and future.  The season doesn't stop and those teams which have the most hard-fought battles, taste the sweetest reward when it leads to diversity being overcome.  

Go CBJ!