from Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch,

Let's get this John Tortorella quote out of the way, lest anybody suggest the Blue Jackets took their 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild in stride tonight.

"We're 0-8," Tortorella said. "Moral victories aren't going to help us right now."

But ...

The Blue Jackets didn't look like they were void of confidence. Those players on the ice didn't look like imposters wearing the Blue Jackets sweaters. It was the most competent, competitive 60 minutes of the season.
Alexander Wennberg and Brandon Dubinsky scored first-period goals, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky had 20 saves, and the Blue Jackets kept their shifts short and played a stiff, physical game. The play in the defensive zone still had some kowzinga! moments and some curious decisions, but it wasn't a lost cause.

Put another way: for the first time since the season-opening 4-2 loss to the New York Rangers, the Blue Jackets got out of their heads and let their instincts guide the way. Alas, there are no points for progress.

"I thought we played hard, won battles," Tortorella said. "We played the way I think we’re going to have to play to get us out of this.

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