OFFICIAL Columbus Blue Jackets Thread

[jimotis4heisman]

Originally Posted by scarletandgrey

JimOtis Why was it that lastnight when they went onto overtime it was 4-on-4 hockey?

good thing you didnt ask me why it went to 4 v 3 in ot.... i woulda have answered what is dan o'halloran

[BuckeyeR0B]

Originally Posted by CrabMan

OT is played 4 on 4.

why is that ?

[jimotis4heisman]

thats the rule.

the reason the rule would be to open the game up and create more scoring chances.

[Bucky Katt]

Originally Posted by jimotis4heisman

good thing you didnt ask me why it went to 4 v 3 in ot.... i woulda have answered what is dan o'halloran

Good answer!!!

[BuckeyeR0B]

Originally Posted by jimotis4heisman

thats the rule.

the reason the rule would be to open the game up and create more scoring chances.

thanks I never knew that I thought it had something to do with making it so they could score easier

[jimotis4heisman]

yes that what the result is.
more open ice, more space, more space, more goals, more goals in the opponents net, more JO is happy.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

3/7/06

BLUE JACKETS

Fedorov: Linemates need some seasoning

Nash, Zherdev must improve all-around game, veteran says

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Aaron Portzline
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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ANAHEIM, Calif. — Sergei Fedorov was talking to media members after the Blue Jackets’ 3-2 shootout win over Anaheim on Sunday, when a question from a Los Angeles reporter set Fedorov loose on a critique of his linemates, wingers Nikolai Zherdev and Rick Nash.
The question: Did getting Nash back (from early-season injuries) make the difference with this team?
Off went Sergei, soft-spoken, unflinching and, as always, insightful.
"It’s a lot of work (playing between Nash and Zherdev)," Fedorov said. "They’re strong individually, both of my wingers. I’m not used to playing by myself. I try to connect both of them as a line, but at times it’s not, you know, that easy.
"They like to beat a lot of guys one-on-one and make things happen. We’re working on it . . . the give-and-go, basically. I’d say they would be 50 percent better players if they would dish it off sometimes.
"It has been a lot of fun, and a lot of work. It has been interesting."
The Nash-Fedorov-Zherdev line has been together since shortly after Fedorov was acquired in a Nov. 15 trade with the Mighty Ducks.
It has been a wondrous trio at times, not to mention the Blue Jackets’ only consistent scoring threat at even strength.
Since Nash returned to health on Dec. 17, the three players have combined for 36 goals and 43 assists in 30 games, more than 2½ points per game.
On Sunday, Nash had the winner in a shootout vs. the Ducks.
But Fedorov, 36, says there still is a long way to go, both defensively and in terms of Nash and Zherdev learning the finer points.
"In some ways (it has gotten better), yeah," Fedorov said. "In some ways. But there’s still a lot of work ahead of us. They’re very young players.
"It depends on what we’re talking about. Just making the playoffs? Second round or third round or the Finals? It’s that simple. Work ethics have got to be better. You have to work out every day."
Fedorov sees the next 20 games — starting at 7 tonight, when the Blue Jackets face Chicago in Nationwide Arena — as a crucial stretch.
"What we’re basically working for is next season," Fedorov said. "The last 20 games are very important for us, to find that chemistry, to find that core of the team. I think there will be changes next year, because this organization wants to get into the playoffs.
"In order to do that, you have to make a formula, like Detroit, like Nashville, like the teams ahead of us. It works. We’re looking right now to find out who is ready to play."
Fedorov was asked whether he expects the Blue Jackets to build around his line for the future.
"They’ll build around (Nash and Zherdev)," Fedorov said. "I’m done in two years. Hopefully, I can catch the last train to the playoffs. That’s what I’m wanting to do.
"I’m going to give whatever I have to them, a good hockey sense to those guys. That would be fun to do."
Asked whether being "done in two years" meant he would retire when his contract expires, Fedorov smiled and paused.
"We’ll see when we get there," he said.
Blue Jackets coach Gerard Gallant, told yesterday of Fedorov’s comments, said Nash and Zherdev, both 21, are improving at a rapid rate.
"I’m not saying they’re great defensive players," Gallant said. "But they’re making the effort to come back a little bit, to back-check and play a little more defensively."
Gallant pointed to a breakaway by Nash on Sunday. Nash didn’t score, but the play was started by a back-checking Zherdev, who was positioned properly in the low slot when a turnover occurred, allowing him to feed Nash as he broke loose in the neutral zone.
"It’s great to have individual skill, but you have to use your teammates," Gallant said. "When (Nash and Zherdev) are playing real well, they’re giving the puck up and going to the net and getting it back.
"They’re still young kids. Zherdev dominated in Los Angeles (a 3-2 loss Saturday). Nash dominated in Anaheim. You don’t want to take that skill away from them."
aportzline@dispatch.com