Despite Solid Start, Blue Jackets Find a Way to Lose

Former Jacket Matt Duchene has the game-winner in his return from injury

Photo courtesy Kevin Lam (CBUS Sports)

COLUMBUS, Ohio--- The Blue Jackets lost 5-2 to the Dallas Stars on Thursday night. Despite a brief lighting delay, they started strong with two first-period goals, but then conceded five in a row.

The Jackets record now stands at 4-6-3.

BOONE ON THE BOARD

Boone Jenner got the scoring started just over a minute into the contest, scoring more of an oddity goal.

The captain leads the team in goals with seven and is tied with Ivan Provorov for the lead in points with 13.

MARCHENKO STRIKES AGAIN

Kirill Marchenko buried his third goal of the season, going top shelf off of a beautiful pass from Adam Fantilli.

After not scoring in his first seven games, Kirill is putting together a strong couple of performances. He has three goals in the last four games.

ANOTHER LEAD GONE

After the Marchenko goal, the Jackets proceeded to give up five straight goals. Mason Marchment, Craig Smith, the familiar Matt Duchene, and Tyler Seguin each put one past goalie Spencer Martin, and Jason Robertson put the nail in the coffin with an empty netter.

TAKEAWAYS

• Second period. It has been a struggle for the team all season, and it has continued to cause problems.

• Our key players are still having a lot of trouble putting the puck in the net. Johnny Gaudreau is making point-per-game type money, so it is frustrating to everyone that he only has five points through 12 games.

• Laine is missed dearly in these types of games. He is skating now, but there is still no timetable for his return.

• I am convinced that pulling the goalie never works unless the opposition uses it against us.

• It looks like it's time for David Jiricek to come back into the lineup. Not the best game from Peeke. Defensive zone exits from him looked extremely rushed, leading to icings and turnovers.

• Penalties did not help at all tonight. Huge momentum killer.

• Adam Fantilli's line looked like the best out there, but they got only 11 minutes of ice time.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Jackets will make their way out to Detroit on Saturday night, followed by a Madison Square Garden matchup with the Rangers on Sunday. If the Jackets want to make any statements, there is no better time than now to do that. Detroit and New York are among the top teams in the league right now.

Ian Phillips for Yamo Media