Maybe the Columbus Blue Jackets aren’t a serious playoff threat after all.
The Blue Jackets came into the 2015-16 season as a popular underdog pick to reach, and do damage in, the post-season. Sure, they missed the playoffs last year, but prevailing opinion was that shortcoming had more to do with the high number of injuries that hit the roster and less to do with a lack of talent.
But after one coaching change already this season, the Jackets have now won just once in their past nine games. On Tuesday, they lost a nasty 5-1 game to the Dallas Stars, in which Ryan Johansen was benched for the entire third period. Tortorella was asked about the benching and said it was his decision, but wouldn’t elaborate on it.
After the game, the Blue Jackets held a players-only meeting and Tortorella viewed that in a positive light.
“I’m not sure what went on in there and I won’t ask any questions. I think as I’ve tried to progress with them and with the leadership group, we’re trying to push the room to them. I’ve made it perfectly clear since Ive been here, I think that is one of our weaknesses that that room has to sustain itself a little bit through some of these things. It can’t be me going in there all the time in these type of circumstances.
“I’m hoping, and I don’t know what was said, I’m hoping that’s a step in the right direction. Because that’s when you know you have a good team that’s going to compete and win is when it sustains itself. We still have a ways to get there. I hope it was productive for them because that’s key, it’s about them.”
Over the past nine games, the Blue Jackets have struggled on offence and have put up only 17 goals. Despite the fact Johansen is second in team scoring with 22 points, it wasn’t the first time Tortorella benched him. In Tortorella’s very first game behind Columbus’ bench, Johansen didn’t see the ice for the final six minutes and played only 13:57, which was his lowest playing time since January 2014.
On Tuesday, Johansen missed the entire third period and played only 11:03.
Through 33 games, the Jackets find themselves in last place in the NHL with a 11-19-3 record and 25 points.
