Columbus Blue Jackets Vs. Buffalo Sabres Game Recap

Game two of the Claude Noel interim regime took place against the Buffalo Sabres, before a capacity crowd at Nationwide Arena, in large part due to the massive Buffalo contingent in attendance.

The Columbus Blue Jackets continued their winning ways with a resounding 4-0 victory.

What was most prevalent about their performance, beyond the score, was the looseness and energy the team displayed. It’s as if an albatross had been taken off the team’s necks. There was a definite jump in the team’s step, a definite "have fun" and "devil may care" attitude.

As is often the case when there is a seismic change, such as what took place when Ken Hitchcock was fired, the new/interim coach (Claude Noel) plays "good cop" to the predecessor’s "bad cop". 

As a result, there is often a bounce that occurs.

How long that "joy- joy" feeling as well as the winning play continues remains to be seen, particularly with games against division leaders such as San Jose, Vancouver, and Chicago remaining before the Winter Olympic break. But, for now, there is a permeable change in the way the Blue Jackets are playing the game.

As in prior game recaps, I will break the game down by what went right, what went okay, and what went wrong.

The Good:

The jump in the step of the entire team—it’s gone from Judge Dredd to Club Med in quite a hurry.

Steve Mason’s performance—it appears that Mason is actually enjoying playing in goal, something not evidenced by someone who seemed far too serious for someone so young and new to the NHL. 

Mason, much like his performance in the last game against the Dallas Stars, is once again using his size by playing more upright and challenging the shooter by coming out and getting the angle on the attacker. For the last two games, anyway, he seems to be playing like shades of his Calder Trophy winning season.

Jakub Voracek—yes, Voracek struggled mightily in Ken Hitchcock’s methodical, two-way, defense-first system. But, as with his fellow second-year teammate, Derek Brassard, Voracek was playing with the reckless abandon he displayed during his rookie season and at the early part of this season.

Voracek registered three assists, and was a true impact player, all evening long.

Milan Jurcina—Jurcina scored the opening goal of the game, in quite a bizarre way.  Clearing the puck into the corner boards, the puck quickly rebounded off of the boards, off the back of Patrick LaLime’s leg, and into the net. What usually happens against the Blue Jackets happened in favor of the Blue Jackets, and they were on the board. 

Jurcina also logged in the most ice time, proof that changes have been implemented, rather starkly.

Kris Russell—Recipient of the second most time on ice (TOI), Russell was magnificent, to quote Claude Noel’s assessment of his play, in all three sections of the ice. Here’s hoping that Noel will leverage Russell’s gifts—his supreme skating and puck-moving capabilities— the rest of the way, this season.

Anton Stralman—Registered another multi-point game, with a goal and an assist.  Stralman gives the Blue Jackets something they haven’t had since Duvie Westcott was in Columbus, before he became victim of concussive injuries.

Claude Noel—for calling a timeout in the midst of the four-minute, double minor power play advantage. As Claude Noel remarked in his post-game press conference, “For the first three minutes, it looked like we were painting.”  He decided on the timeout to settle the team down and to not over-think. Result?  Rick Nash scored on a true effort play, diving down as he flipped the puck into the net, and from there, it was "game over."

The OK:

Nothing to note, here, although, at times, the defense was a little loose in their defensive end.

The Bad:

For the first time in a long time, there’s nothing to report as negative—that is, unless you consider Noel obliterating the five-minute time limit on the post-game press conference. 

Noel’s post-game presser more than tripled the usual limit, at a whopping 18 minutes. For those in the press, it’s quite enjoyable to listen to Noel’s quirkiness and observations.

It’s quite a long cry from the five minute—to the second—measured post-game commentary of his predecessor, Ken Hitchcock.

Up next, the Blue Jackets host the San Jose Sharks, a team who are arguably the most explosive team in the NHL. Once again, a stern test for the "new Blue Jackets," hosting another division leading team, one with perhaps the most lethal first line in the NHL.