Columbus Blue Jackets

Monday's Three Stars: Roloson saves Isles; Rangers rout Jackets

No. 1 star: Dwayne Roloson, New York Islanders

Usually, goalies who give up three goals aren't going to be the No. 1 star. But those goalies usually don't face 61 shots. In fact, Roloson's 58 saves in the Islanders' 4-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs are the most since Ron Tugnutt's 70-save game in March 1991, according to the AP. (Phil Kessel had 12 on his own.) Not bad for a 40-year-old. Josh Bailey had the game-winner in overtime, after the Leafs rallied from a 3-0 hole. 

No. 2 Star: Marian Gaborik, New York Rangers

After the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets took a 2-0 lead, the Rangers used a John Tortorella timeout "just relax" chat and exploded for seven straight goals in a 7-4 victory. Gaborik had two goals (18 on the season) and two assists, including a beautiful helper on Sean Avery's second of the night. Also beautiful: Michael Del Zotto's Leetch-like solo effort for goal No. 3.

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• Tue Nov 24, 2009 1:30 am EST
• Puck Daddy
• By Greg Wyshynski
• 6 Comments

Why the overtime shootout stinks and how to fix it, Vol. 61

Once more, with feeling: You're never going to convince us that a skills competition, which doesn't feature a pass attempt or a defenseman on the ice, is an equitable manner by which to determine the victor of a professional hockey game; or, indirectly, the teams that eventually make or miss the postseason.

But our therapist keeps asking us to learn to live with the shootout, so we've offered some suggestions here and there to improve it.

Sometimes it's about increasing the fun factor, like the "superstar provision" discussed recently. Other times, it's bringing some level of competitive fairness to the proceedings, like our contention that the NHL should increase it to five shooters for each side.

But there's a complete, total, absolute, change the League should have already made to its overtime format but hasn't; something that was on display in the Columbus Blue Jackets' game against the Nashville Predators over the weekend.

Why are players serving penalties at the end of the 4-on-4 OT allowed to participate in the shootout?

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• Mon Nov 23, 2009 11:15 am EST
• Puck Daddy
• By Greg Wyshynski
• 57 Comments

Game 21 Recap: The best of times, the worst of times... the even worst times

A recap of the Blue Jackets funeral in Madison Squared Garden

• Mon Nov 23, 2009 EST
• The Cannon
• By Clint Clark

Game 21 Recap: Uphill Battle

A recap on tonight's matchup of Columbus and Nashville.

• Sat Nov 21, 2009 EST
• The Cannon
• By Clint Clark

Game 20 Recap: Mase is Back!

Game Recap for the game between the Stars and Blue Jackets on the 19th of November.

• Fri Nov 20, 2009 EST
• The Cannon
• By Mike MacLean

Nikita Filatov Flavored Links

Nikita Filatov Flavored Links

• Wed Nov 18, 2009 EST
• The Cannon
• By Mike MacLean

Filatov Commentary

A commentary on the departure of promising young winger Nikita Filatov.

• Tue Nov 17, 2009 EST
• The Cannon
• By Clint Clark