Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen isn’t happy with what he’s seen from his club so far, who’ve gotten off to a putrid 0-4 start.
The team has lost four consecutive games, falling to the New York Rangers (twice), Buffalo Sabres, and Senators while getting outscored 20-9 (-11 is the worst goal differential in the league) and Kekalainen let his team know there’s no excuse for that type of result.
“I’m surprised how, in just five days, we’ve gone from a very confident group to something that’s the opposite of that,” Kekalainen told The Columbus Dispatch. “Our confidence, our game…it’s off the rails right now. There’s no excuse for how we played in Buffalo. No excuse. Every team in this league is a good team, but there’s no excuse to come out with an effort like that, to go off the rails, so far from the way we’re supposed to be playing.”
Hope shouldn’t be lost for the Blue Jackets, however, as it’s not like they’re getting badly outplayed each game.
It’s a small sample size, but Columbus has been outshooting their opponents on average at even strength (+3.6 S/60), putting up a solid 54.5 scoring chances for percentage and put up a 55.4 Corsi for percentage. The Blue Jackets are generating more chances than their opponents, they’re just not making good on them.
They’ve only scored a miniscule two goals at even strength this season, while giving up nine – which is second worst in the NHL. It also doesn’t help, as colleague Sam Blazer alluded too, Sergei Bobrovsky has been atrocious at even strength this season, posting a .830%, good for worst in the league. He told Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch “I have zero confidence right now. It’s a tough time. It’s tough to analyze right now what’s going on. It’s just disappointing, the last four games. We have to be better.” No kidding.
Both the team’s 5v5 goal rate, and Bobrovsky’s save percentage will get better, and at worst should level out. Again, it’s a small sample size, but it’s not indicative of the Blue Jackets play, let alone how they project for the rest of the season.
Coach Todd Richards, a notoriously slow starter, still has the trust of Kekalainen, who says his team just needs to play like they’re supposed too.
“We’re all accountable, from front office to coaches to players. Todd Richards is a good coach. The guys in the room have to play better.”
“There aren’t a lot of guys in that group that have played up to their expectations, right? We have many guys playing below expectations, below the bar. Well, it’s hard to be good as a team when you’re not playing well as individuals.”
Goaltending aside, the Blue Jackets are playing pretty good hockey. Bounces haven’t gone Columbus’ way, but if they continue to generate more chances, they’re going to be fine. It’s concerning, but there’s no need to pull the panic alarm with an 0-4 start.
