Team Report

(Columbus, Ohio)

     Things are not going well in Columbus right now to say the least. The Jackets just lost a tight one to Utterstrom Cup contender Calgary last night to send their current record on the season to 1-5-0. Through six games the Jackets are tied for dead last in the league only scoring 1.67 goals per game, yikes. The offence just has not been there so far, as Mikko Koivu has yet to get going, and winger Radim Vrbata is the only real threat so far; he's netted four goals in the first six games. David Backes has registered a measly two points in six games so far as well.
     EVERY single player in the Columbus lineup is currently sitting on the bad end of the +/- category, with Backes coming in a team worst minus six. Absolutely nothing is going right for CBJ right now, the fighters aren't even fighting!
     The lone bright spot so far has been the play of netminder Marc-Andre Fleury, who despite a horrible record has posted a GAA of 3.19 and a Save% of .919. It looks like Fleury is cementing himself as the goalie of the future and will likely get tonnes of playing time.
     With this sudden case of "I don't know how to play hockey" going around in the dressing room, it's no wonder the team has got off to such a rough start. It's only a matter of time until the head honcho starts to mix up his current list of players on the trade market.
     One thing to look forward to is the game tonight vs. Chicago, expect some fireworks. Columbus has even inserted J.F. Jacques on the third line to try and help match up with some of the impressive group of heavyweights boasted by the division rival Blackhawks.