from Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch,
At this point, just win a game. Make a save. Score one more goal than the other team. Sheesh.
Those are among the thoughts cycling through the minds of Blue Jackets fans. Those are the thoughts in the sunnier regions of their brains. If you want it darker, then purchase Leonard Cohen’s last album and plummet, gloriously, into the abyss. Get a jump-start on offseason catharsis.
The Blue Jackets won 50 games and amassed 108 points during the regular season. Now, the regular season is supposed to mean little when the playoff season arrives. But come on. This team that won 50 games in 27 weeks can’t win one in the span of seven days?
The Jackets are down three games to none to the Pittsburgh Penguins, who can complete a sweep with a victory in Game 4 tonight at Nationwide Arena. It’s just nigh embarrassing.
The Jackets were swept from the first round by the Detroit Red Wings in 2009 and it wasn’t a shock. Game 4 was a thrill, and it was supposed to portend to good things. It didn’t. The Jackets pushed the Penguins to six games in 2014, which was nice. It was supposed to be a bridge to a new era. How long is this bridge?
Yes, the Penguins are, at present, the defending Stanley Cup champions. But, invincible? They are starting their backup goaltender, Marc-Andre Fleury, because Matt Murray is injured. Important pieces of their team — Evgeni Malkin, Trevor Daley, Olli Maatta — shook off injuries to suit up for Game 1 (and Games 2 and 3 and, presumably, 4).
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