GAME 43: PANTHERS (17-18-5) AT BLUE JACKETS (23-16-3)
NATIONWIDE ARENA, 5 P.M., SUNDAY
TV: FOX SPORTS OHIO/FOX SPORTS GO
RADIO: CD102.5 FM & BLUEJACKETS.COM
The Blue Jackets are searching for more offensive production, while keeping a tight lid on the amount of scoring chances they allow.
It's a great recipe for success, but it's not easy to execute, especially with four key veterans on injured reserve. Columbus has been shutout in two of its past three games, and has scored two-or-fewer goals in 10 of the past 15 contests, going 6-7-2 in that span.
The Jackets have been instructed to be more cautious than usual when seeking offensive opportunities, primarily because of the injury situation, but coach John Tortorella doesn't think that's the biggest issue with the low offensive output of late.
"Just because we're trying to concentrate on cutting our chances [against] down, [that] should not affect the offense," he said Saturday, after practice at Nationwide Arena. "I know that's what people like to do, because we've had a discussion, as far as changing how we're playing with some of the people that are out of the lineup. That should not change offense. In fact, it should help the offense. If we're concentrating away from the puck, we'll have the puck more."
The Jackets' 1-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday at Pepsi Center in Denver is a good example. Columbus took over control of the puck midway through the second period and dominated it in the third, but just couldn't score.
The Blue Jackets also settled for too many shots from the perimeter, without getting to the net for rebounds or tip attempts.
"We had the puck a ton against Colorado," Tortorella said. "We just didn't develop enough offense. I know how it works. 'They're too defensive.' We're not too defensive. We're trying to play the game the right way, away from the puck, which should give us the puck more, and hopefully we'll get some people going offensively."
That's been a wish most of the season.
The Blue Jackets' offense is also struggling because a number of key players from the past couple seasons are either slumping (captain Nick Foligno, forward Boone Jenner, forward Matt Calvert) or injured (Alexander Wennberg, Cam Atkinson).
"It was a 1-0 loss on the road [to the Avalanche], and you can't get down," Foligno said. "I know it hasn't gone our way in a couple of these games. You've just got to find a way to keep pushing through, everybody - individually, and as a team - and things will start righting themselves."
Preview: Jackets looking to give scoring a jolt vs Panthers
Columbus has dropped three of four; averaging less than two goals a game
