Jackets’ Nash yet to net a goal
Riley Nash couldn’t help but crack a joke Wednesday, even though it was at his own expense.
Asked about scoring being up across the NHL, not to mention the Blue Jackets having 17 more goals in their first 24 games than a year ago, Nash took aim at his line of zero goals and two assists.
“For a lot of people, it’s up,” said Nash, who signed with the Blue Jackets after finishing last season with 15 goals and 41 points for the Boston Bruins. “For some, it’s down.”
It’s way down for Nash, who has come up empty despite several close calls. He has clanged pucks off crossbars and posts. He has fired them wide and high. In fact, he’s shot the thing just about everywhere possible except into the net.
“I’m obviously surprised,” said Nash, who set his NHL highs in goals and points last season. “I had some The Blue Jackets’ Riley Nash is unable to get the puck past Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford while being pressured by the Blackhawks’ Artem Anisimov in a game in October. Nash has two assists and no goals this season.
chances early on in the year where I was hitting posts or just missing, and I just had that feeling where it was like, ‘Oh, no, not this,’ but it’s just a matter of getting chances.”
He has earned more of those opportunities lately, including one Monday in Detroit when he screened goalie Jonathan Bernier on a goal credited to defenseman Markus Nutivaara.
“On Nuti’s goal, you
can kind of hang off to the side, or you can battle your way to the front and hopefully get a bounce here or there,” Nash said. “It’s things like that over the course of a season, where if you keep getting to the right areas, the bounces will start going your way.”
Anthony Duclair didn’t practice Wednesday and is day-to-day because of an undisclosed injury. Oliver Bjorkstrand, who has been scratched in four straight games, will draw back into the lineup if Duclair can’t play.
“It’s not fun sitting out four games straight,” said Bjorkstrand, who skated in Duclair’s spot on the right wing of the third line in practice. “Right now, it seems like it’s just a waiting game. So, I’ve got to stay patient and, when I get the chance, just be ready to play.”
Nick Foligno wouldn’t mind if younger brother Marcus scores for the Wild on Thursday, as long as the Blue Jackets win.
“Don’t get me wrong; I like to stick it to my brother anytime I can, but he’s my brother at the end of the day,” the Jackets’ captain said. “I want to see him have success.”