Story by
Tarasov's struggles top 3 takeaways from Columbus Blue Jackets loss to Boston Bruins
- Story by
- Tarasov's struggles top 3 takeaways from Columbus Blue Jackets loss to Boston Bruins
Playing on the road wasn't the reason the Blue Jackets lost 4-0 to the Boston Bruins on Saturday night at TD Garden.
More: Columbus Blue Jackets takeaways: Top line, power play shine in rout over Boston Bruins
Advertisement
The Jackets' biggest issue was making things hard on themselves with too many mistakes, especially with a struggling goalie who could've used a boring evening between the pipes. Instead, Daniil Tarasov was tagged for four goals that included three that directly followed Blue Jackets turnovers.
It was another ugly result on the road, but the Blue Jackets (15-16-6) left this one knowing it could have been a lot different had they taken care of the puck.
Here are three takeaways:
Oct 22, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Daniil Tarasov (40) stands in net during the second period of the NHL hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Nationwide Arena.
Daniil Tarasov struggles in return to Columbus Blue Jackets ' net
There's a reason Tarasov hadn't played a single minute since allowing six goals Dec. 5 in a loss to the Edmonton Oilers on the road at Rogers Place. He's struggling mightily this season with the sporadic nature of an NHL backup's playing time, which led to poor numbers going into his outing against the Bruins.
Advertisement
After facing Boston, Tarasov is now 3-6-1 in 10 starts with an ugly 4.23 goals-against average and stunningly low .857 save percentage on 294 shots. The Blue Jackets hung him out to dry by coughing up too many pucks for good scoring chances, but three of the four goals he allowed could have been stopped by a sharper netminder.
Tarasov's slump has contributed significantly to a goaltending conundrum for the Blue Jackets, who've twice recalled rookie Jet Greaves from AHL Cleveland to play while Tarasov watched as a healthy scratch. Elvis Merzlikins , the Jackets' highest paid and most experienced option, is hanging onto his No. 1 role mainly by default, and inconsistencies during his 22 starts have saddled him with a pedestrian 10-9-3 record, 3.13 GAA and .889 save percentage.
Blue Jackets president of hockey operations/general manager Don Waddell has said he won't put Tarasov on waivers while seeking an AHL stint in Cleveland, but that's starting to feel like the only option left to help Tarasov regain confidence. It comes with the risk of another GM claiming him off waivers as an intriguing project, but the Blue Jackets' goaltending situation might be nearing a point where Waddell must strongly consider it.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson (78) hits Washington Capitals left wing Pierre-Luc Dubois (80) during the second period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Dec. 12, 2024.
Damon Severson didn't help his own cause in Columbus Blue Jackets' loss to Boston Bruins
The Blue Jackets' coaching staff went with seven defensemen and just 11 forwards for the third straight game, leaving only Jordan Harris out of the defensive playing mix.
Advertisement
That meant Damon Severson played his second straight game since sitting as a healthy scratch in a 5-4 win against the Montreal Canadiens prior to the NHL's holiday break. Severson's errant pass in the second period Saturday missed its target in the Blue Jackets' end, was picked off and quickly turned into a costly goal by Morgan Geekie in the slot that put Boston up 2-0.
Severson, 32, was benched for the remaining 13:31 of the period before Evason cleared his return in the third for six shifts. Severson takes a lot of criticism due to the term left on the eight-year, $50 million contract he signed to complete sign-and-trade deal with the New Jersey Devils in June 2023.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson (78) passes the puck in the second period at Nationwide Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.
His contract has a $6.25 million charge against the NHL's salary cap, so the expectation is for Severson to provide a steady two-way defenseman for the right side of a top four defensive pairing. He's split time between playing with Zach Werenski on the top pairing and Ivan Provorov on the second pairing, but the problem from the start has been inconsistent play with and without the puck.
Advertisement
There are nights when he stands out as one of the best players on the ice for either team, but also nights when he stands out for errors that often lead to costly goals. He's in another rut right now, but Severson also has a solid stat line of six goals, 11 assists, 17 points and a +1 plus/minus rating in 35 games. Along with the seven-defenseman setup, Severson's status Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes could be something to watch after his turnover against the Bruins.
Dec 28, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins right wing Justin Brazeau (55) reacts with center Trent Frederic (11) after scoring a goal past Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Daniil Tarasov (40) during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Columbus Blue Jackets' errors overshadow solid road game in loss to Boston Bruins
The easy description after a 4-0 loss on the road is saying the Blue Jackets played poorly or even were abysmal while being shut out by Jeremy Swayman on 18 shots. Those just aren't accurate descriptions of what happened.
Advertisement
The Bruins did a much better job taking away shooting and passing lanes than they did Friday in a 6-2 blowout at Nationwide Arena , but Saturday's postgame analytical breakdown by Natural Stat Trick meshed with how the Blue Jackets felt about their play outside of three major puck management errors.
Adjusting for score effects to track how the game was played at 5-on-5 while close, the Blue Jackets generated a significantly higher percentage of shot attempts (56%), scoring chances (68%), high-danger chances (65%) and expected goals (62%). They just couldn't beat Swayman, who made a couple great stops and received help from the Blue Jackets ringing attempted shots off goalposts, the crossbar and missing entirely with Swayman out of position.
Columbus did squander a four-minute power play trailing 3-0 in the second, but this wasn't the Jackets' typical faceplant away from the cannon blasts of home ice.
Advertisement
Get more on the Columbus Blue Jackets with our Cannon Fodder podcast
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets takeaways: Tarasov struggles again vs Bruins
