Korpisalo will be between the pipes for tonight's game against the Devils, and after getting an opportunity last week, the Blue Jackets and head coach John Tortorella are going to go with the hot hand against a Devils team just scored eight goals last night in a win vs. Chicago.
"He's earned it," Tortorella said. "I don't profess to understand all goaltending stuff, but when I see Korpi just play under control, that's when he's strong. He has the mind-set, things don't bother him, good or bad. He just keeps it even keel. It's when he starts getting busy as a goalie, I think there's some struggle and some holes in his game. He's been really solid as far as his positioning."
So how does a goalie play under control in a game that's anything but?
Well, first, it's practice, which is where CBJ goaltending coach Manny Legace and Korpisalo have been working to improve his game even when he hasn't had too many chances to start behind Sergei Bobrovsky.
Then there's experience and maturity. While it feels like Korpisalo has been around for a while, largely because of a spell three seasons ago when he became the team's No. 1 while Bobrovsky was injured, the Finnish netminder is still just 24 years of age.
This year, he's seen his most work since that campaign when he went 16-11-4 with a 2.60 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage in 31 games. Just past the midway point, Korpisalo this year has played in 17 games and started 13, going 8-2-2 with a 3.08 GAA and .898 save percentage.
Legace says Korpisalo has been better than the numbers, though, and last two starts were impressive. In overtime wins vs. the Predators and Capitals, he stopped 64 of 68 shots (.941); more than that, he looked his most confident and efficient in net, something Legace said is the result of a number of factors.
"When a young guy has to be a backup to start his career, it's extremely, extremely hard because he wants to impress everybody getting in there, and he starts chasing the game," Legace said. "A couple of goals go in and you start chasing it even more, whereas now he's just playing within himself.
"He's played a lot this year. It's more consistent that he plays, so he's getting more confidence just being in there. When you get in there, you want to make all the saves and you try so hard. Now he's just learning to play and how to do it on a consistent basis."
Legace also said Korpisalo has had a great teacher in Bobrovsky, whose work ethic to prepare for both games and practices is legendary.
"If it doesn't rub off on you and you don't learn from it, you'd have to be a moron," Legace said. "And Korpi's not."
Added Cam Atkinson: "His practice habits have been unbelievable, and it's starting to show in the game. He's playing with a lot of confidence."
For Korpisalo, the opportunity to play in the recent stretch and earn two wins for the team was rewarding.
"It's fun to play hockey," Korpisalo said. "These are fun games like today (vs. Washington). They have some dangerous guys there, and you could see everyone played 100 percent today. It's fun to play against that kind of team."
Where the Blue Jackets goaltending situation goes after tonight's game remains to be seen, as decisions are made on a game-to-game basis. But for those who get to see Korpisalo on a day-to-day basis, his recent success is the result of a lot of hard work come to fruition.
"I'm happy he got a chance to play two games in a row and I hope he's feeling good about himself because he's a hell of a goalie," Foligno said. "You can just see it in him. It's a tough position he's in a lot of times. He knows he's not going to get as many starts, but when he got the reins the last two games, he really took it and ran with it and played well for us.
"He knows the situation obviously and we'll see how things shake out, but we have full confidence in him. I'm really happy for him, not for us, but for him."
On The Ice
Lukas Sedlak on his "next shift" mindset](https://www.nhl.com/video/c-64942403)
Columbus had a short practice this morning that featured work on the power play ahead of tonight's game vs. New Jersey.
The Blue Jackets will dress the 12 forwards currently on the roster, while defenseman Dean Kukan will be scratched for the second straight game.
