Glacier like Change

The original meaning of this term was, ” a slow steady change that was almost imperceptible, like the movement of a glacier”. Today, there are some that claim that this term should be banned from the language, as glacier movement is so swift that it can be seen within several years, not decades like it used to be. The point is, we are seeing a very slow but perceptible change in the play of the Columbus Blue Jackets team play. The first and an obvious change was:

[1] The PK  forchecking which tends to limit access to the opposing team on the CBJ power kill. Good skating teams do get into the Blue Jacket zone, like Detroit did last nite. But not always, and that’s the point. There have been several penalty kills in the past few games where the opponents barely got into the Jacket’s zone. Also I have noted that now the first thing that is NOT always done upon obtaining the puck on the PK is to dump it. The “good guys” are holding onto the puck a bit, skating it into the neutral or opponents blue zone, thus killing more time than the quick dump, and in some cases giving the opposition a little fear of a shorthanded attempt. Both of these “little” things are reducing opponents chances on their PP.

[2] Somehow the Jackets are limiting their opponents “cycling” in the Jacket zone. I have not figured out exactly how, but I’m watching for it to try to see. I noted a number of times against Detroit [which is a good puck moving team] that the Red Wings were not able to cycle well. If anyone has it figured out, please respond as a comment.  I’ll call this next point {2A} as it might be part of the answer for [2] or it might be point [3]. The Jackets are playing stronger behind their own net. I’m not sure whether this is a change in assignments or simply executing normal assignments. The “protective guards” that help protect the goal/goalie actively go behind the net to attempt to take away the puck. They switch protection based on there the puck is, but they are active in seeking the puck and yet are doing a pretty good job protecting.

[3] The “defensemen jumping up” on a break toward the opponents goal actually is working. We’ve seen a number of attacks where there is a winger or 2, and a defense man. This has resulted in several good shots/rebounds. AND someone is staying back to defend in case the puck comes right back at us.

Watch closely fans, the winds of change are a blowing and I like it!