Saturday night against the Red Wings was a night of records for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Team captain Rick Nash had his fourth hat trick of his career, tying the franchise record. He even made the three goals unassisted, marking the first time that this has happened since March 14th, 1948. (Funny factoid, Nash won an award in 2003-04 named after the last person to do this, Maurice "Rocket" Richard.) The Blue Jackets won 8-2 against the Detroit Red Wings, probably the best team in the West, beating their highest score and highest margin of victory records. Even the new kid on the block, recently acquired center Antione Vermette, managed to get a point recorded in the game.
Yep, Saturday the 7th was a night of records.
Not to get outdone, Tuesday night decided that it wanted in on the action. Hosting the Boston Bruins, who are first in the league, the Jackets decided that it was time to jump-start their march to the playoffs. Goaltender Steve Mason got his 9th shutout, with a score of 2-0, and, being a rookie, that means he has a new carrier high. Rick Nash got another goal, inching ever closer to his season record of 41 goals. The Blue Jackets got their 74th point of the year, tying their all-time high. They are now only one win away from their highest winning season. Vermette, showing that he loves his new house, got into it with a Bruins' player and recorded yet another point. Yep, Tuesday the 10th got into the action as well.
The Blue Jackets are finally on their first playoff run, and they are playing like they need to. Coach Hitchcock has the team running like a well-oiled machine, and there is hardly any noise from it. When Mase (the nickname of Goalie Steve Mason) is playing well, the team wins, it is simple as that. This sort of play gets the fans into it, and that sets another series of records. With sellout crowds, and the loudest that Nationwide Arena has ever been, the 2008-09 season is starting to look like one for the record book all over. It’s about time.
Currently, the Blue Jackets are enjoying a secure (by three points) sixth place in the Western portion of the NHL. They are within a stone's throw of fifth place, it being only two points away. With a single win, the Jackets could reach their highest position ever. Though they are only in sixth right now, I believe that they clearly are the best team in the entire NHL, or, at least, the Western part.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - CBJ Fan
GO BLUE JACKETS
RACE TO THE CUP
2 - AMERICAN SOMALIA
yo you want comments?? this is a bad article.
the argument reads like you're trying to write NHL Power Rankings. nobody respects Power Rankings. Power Rankings are dumb as hell.
also you're not a great writer. numerous typos. unsophisticated style.
"And, overall, the team is playing like they want to." what the hell does that mean.
3 - Robert M. Barga
I was looking for comments, I believe that all writers love input about their pieces. Creative criticism is highly appreciated so that I can improve for you, the reader, next time you read this.
-What was bad about the article?
- Why are Power Ratings dumb? Why, if nobody respects them, are they a highly trafficked part of ESPN?
-I did not intend it to read as a power ranking, and I don't think that it does, but that is just how it worked
-Which typos please, so i can fix them. The style is evolving as I adapt to this overall work. My other reviews, which I have changed to adapt a style, can be found on my 'writer's page'
-It means that the team is playing the style, system, and in the manner that they wish
4 - Go Habs
Those pesky blue jackets are playing well as of late but Montreal is clearly the best team in the NHL
It is bad form to insult aomebodys typos and yet have a typo name yourself
5 - Robert M. Barga
@Go Habs
Pshhhhh, we beat you the one meeting we had and would do it again if we see you this season (Cup Meeting??)
I do not believe it was a typo. On my site one of my fellow writers said American Somalia instead of American Samoa, this dude took it and ran. Too bad he didn't notice the authors name was not mine...
6 - Go Habs
It sucks that he is an Ass
If we played again we would take you, dry you out, roll you up, light you up, and inhale
7 - Robert M. Barga
LOL
8 - CBJ all the way
I predict a 4-2 Cbj win tonight
9 - Robert M. Barga
CBJ all the way, I don't think that that can happen, if the pens. score before the third CBJ will lose, that is what i think based on how the pens can shut down
10 - Evilducks
The Bruins have won 4 games in their last 15, I guess 10 other teams are the best team in the NHL too... I think saying that the BJ's are the best team in the league because they beat two teams that have almost nothing to play for right now (all 8 of the top teams in the league are playing fairly mediocre hockey right now) is a bit misleading.
I like the BJ's and hope they make the playoffs for the first time, but lets not get ahead of ourselves here.
11 - CBJ all the way
You just be hating because the ducks suck
12 - Evilducks
I hate the ducks. I'm a Sharks fan, last I checked they're still top in the NHL (despite claims here). I like the BJ's, but all top teams are skidding right now and the hottest team is probably the Penguins, not the BJ's.
13 - Robert M. Barga
So glad we won, otherwise i would have looked stupid
14 - Crybaby
Cant spell crosby with c-r-y
15 - Jet
When I moved here to Columbus, I was immediately infected with OSU Buckeye fever. I could care less about them sometimes, and yet I'm strongly/unreasonably compelled to watch every game.
Until the Blue Jackets find a way to establish even half that relationship with Columbus, they're sunk.
I even hated the Blue Jacket's name!
16 - Robert M. Barga
very observant crybaby, on a side note, you cant spell robert barga without embargo
@jet
you doing better?
I love the Bucks (and will be covering them from the stands) and agree that they have a stronger hold. That is because they have been here longer and enrol 1/10 of the cities population. CBJ is gaining ground, and if they make it to the PO this year will be selling out next year
17 - Jet
After waiting for 5 days Wal-Mart finally got in my prescription for a Morphine blend pain killer; yes I'm doing better... kinda
18 - Robert M. Barga
you only died a few times, why are you in such a hurry :)?
which wal-mart (i don't shop at them)?
19 - Jet
the one up on Morse road by 270-I live in the downtown business district, and it's worth the drive, just for the prices.
I called around to other pharmacies and their wait was even longer. I was released on a wednesday and didn't get the prescription until the following tuesday.
I've had the penthouse of the americana downtown for 21 years, wall-to-wall floor-to-ceiling glass, whole skyline in my living room and bedroom windows.
They'll have to drive a stake through my chest to get me out of here.
I'm being treated for PTSD at OSU, I love going there.
20 - Robert M. Barga
21 years, as of tomorrow i can be as old as you penthouse... damn
my dad is redoing the James down there, so there will be construction for you to play with
21 - Jet
No Bob; you didn't make me feel old; why would you think that?
22 - Robert M. Barga
LOL
also funny, your use of the name bob, never been called that before
23 - Dr Also-a-Robert Dreadful
Mr Barga, you cannot be serious. Never been called Bob?
Or just not by anybody who lived? :-)
24 - Robert M. Barga
once a person called me bobbert, i cracked his head open
we are still best friends
that said, I only started going by robert when I started working for the state and started at OSU
Before that I was Mike, or Barga. Now I am Robert, or Barga
25 - Dr Also-a-Robert Dreadful
I usually answer to Rob, or 'Oi you'.