Record: 18-22-9, 45 points Conference Rank: 14th Division Rank: 5th Top Scorer: Rick Nash (19 goals, 33 assists, 42 points) Top Goalie: Mathieu Garon (7 wins, 2.69 GAA) Midseason Grade: D
After their first appearance in the postseason last year, the Columbus Blue Jackets have taken a serious step backwards this season. A large part of the trouble in Columbus starts with the fact that they’ve given up more goals than any other team except the Toronto Maple Leafs, and it’s not as if they’re scoring them in bunches to make up for it.
Rick Nash is having another solid year, and Antoine Vermette is definitely benefiting from playing alongside a bonafide superstar, but the Jackets’ strength last year was their goaltending, and it just hasn’t been there this year. Calder Trophy winner Steve Mason has hit a serious sophomore slump, evidenced by his pedestrian 3.24 GAA and 11-15 record.
Last year’s postseason appearance was nice, but it’s clear the Jackets will need to add more pieces if they wish to be a consistent competitor in the West.