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After a poor start where the Jackets trailed Washington 3-1 after a period, they pulled up their socks and put forth a good effort in the final 40.
Unfortunately for the Jackets, as has been the case for many of the losses during their nine-game losing streak, effort was there but the results were not.
Playing without nine players including Sergei Bobrovsky, Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Nathan Horton, Ryan Murray and Jack Johnson, among others, due to injuries and/or suspension the Jackets were once again overwhelmed by a much more talented team.
Their top talent came to play, but their depth was overmatched.
Boone Jenner had his second multipoint game in three contests. Cam Atkinson scored. Ryan Johansen, Scott Hartnell and Nick Foligno all dominated in possession. Despite that, yet another regulation loss.
You don't want to make excuses for a team during a nine-game losing streak - something you rarely see from anyone in today's NHL - but they have been absolutely decimated with injuries and have lost key players up front, on defense and in goal, which makes it very difficult to win hockey games, obviously.
Columbus is currently sitting 29th in the NHL with nine points in 15 games, and are eight points out of a playoff spot.
That may not seem like much and there is plenty of time remaining in the season to make up ground, but historically if you're more than four points out of the playoffs in early November there's a very good chance you're not making the playoffs.
The Jackets really can't afford to sit idle waiting for help. If they don't start winning games and picking up points on a consistent basis, they're going to miss the playoffs.
That's unfortunate given the team's success a year ago and the good vibes entering the year, but nobody is going to feel sorry for them.
They need to figure things out quickly or the only thing they'll be in the running for this season is Connor McDavid.
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