What the Blue Jackets have shown so far and what needs to happen in the second half
Nikolai Zherdev
Whatever Scott Howson said to Zherdev prior to the season must have worked. Zherdev has taken a step of maturity and has simply played better hockey. His 17 goals are second only to Rick Nash, and he has mastered the art of speed and grace with the puck. He is finally living up to the expectations, and that could be why the Blue Jackets are having their best season ever.
Fredrik Modin
The Jackets will need Modin to come in and make a splash after missing the majority of the season to a back injury. Most of the scoring has come from Zherdev and Nash, as Modin was thought to be the third goal scorer on this club after he signed his substantial contract. He must make an impact.
David Vyborny
Riddled by injury and inconsistency, this is his worst season statistically in Columbus. His energy and leadership is matched by few on the roster, but if he could pick up on his points total in the second half, the Jackets may find themselves in the playoffs.
The Energy Line
Dan Fritsche, Manny Malhotra and Jason Chimera have been the on- and off-again components of the “energy line” for the past few seasons. They show great chemistry and bring exactly what they claim – energy. Their 18 goals combined are nothing to sneeze at, but they could become a formidable trio on the ice that teams down the stretch may overlook after facing Nash and Zherdev’s respective lines.
Pascal Leclaire
His seven shutouts are tops in the NHL, and he should have been an All Star because of it. No bother about the All Star Game, but his play has certainly been the number one factor in the Blue Jackets’ first half success. Mixing in Fredrik Norrena has proven beneficial and should keep Leclaire fresh down the stretch.
Will Columbus be Buyers or Sellers?
The Blue Jackets have hovered right around the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference for the majority of the season. They play in one of the toughest divisions in hockey, so making a smart move could separate them from the likes of St. Louis and Nashville. But there have been rumors that Adam Foote and Sergei Fedorov are on the block, and that would reflect the perception that they are sellers and awaiting a run next year. They will probably make a move – it will just be interesting to see what kind of move it is.
How Will the Defense Shake Out?
Foote, Ron Hainsey and Rostislav Klesla are mainstays – pending an aforementioned “seller” move. Kris Russell and Jan Hejda have come on strong this season earning minutes in pivotal points in the game. Ole-Kristian Tollefsen was favored over Aaron Johnson after last year and brings a spark and toughness to the unit, but he has missed much of the last few weeks with a neck injury. And then there is Duvie Westcott, who has been with the team through the tough times, but has suffered through injuries as of late. One of these players will eventually be phased out and could become trade bait. It would be a shame to loose one of them, but to get a third- or fourth-line goal scorer in exchange would ease the loss.
Coach Hitchcock
The players have responded to Hitch, bringing energy, teamwork and aggressiveness on a nightly basis. They’re no where near perfect, as the team is still a work in progress. There are players in place, and now there is a championship coach in town who knows what it takes to win in the NHL. How will this team respond to his coaching style when wins will not only be expected but needed down the stretch.
Key Games
Transitioning from the last point, the Blue Jackets will need to do a better job finishing the key games in the second half. As it stands, they have earned wins in two games that lasted to a shootout. Their efforts are significantly better at home than on the road, with the record at Nationwide Arena standing at 16-6-4 and away from Columbus at 6-12-2. And only one of their six wins on the road has come since December 1. All of this must change.
The Starting Forward Line
Who will be the center and right winger who will form a consistent, powerful starting line with Nash? Jiri Novotny, Federov and Michael Peca have all skated alongside Nash on the first line with Novotny earning the spot of late. Fritsche has been an experiment there, with the idea situation having Zherdev starting games. He appears to have come into his own on the second line though. Jared Boll and Kris Beech have seen minutes here, but the best option (when playing back on top of his game) is probably Vyborny. This may be a moot point, and the void could be filled with whoever looks good that night.