Too Much.

Colorado 5, Blue Jackets 0

Amidst a whirlwind of trade speculations and roster moves, the Blue Jackets could not overcome adversity on Friday night in Nationwide Arena as the Colorado Avalanche handed the home team a devastating 5-0 defeat.

In the beginning, the game was promising. Each line had excellent puck movement, no check went unfinished, and Columbus’ aggression appeared to have the Avalanche back on their heels.

Then, in the final minute of the first period, two shots changed the entire complexion of the game. With the game tied 0-0, the Blue Jackets’ Colton Gillies rang a shot off the crossbar. Colorado’s David Jones picked up the rebound, skated coast-to-coast with the puck, and made it 1-0.

            Given the way Columbus had played in the game’s first 20 minutes, fans expected to witness two more periods of exciting hockey. Instead, the Blue Jackets reverted to bad habits that have stung them all season long.

            At 11:56 of the second period, Gabriel Landeskog made it 2-0 when his slap shot from the right faceoff circle rose over Steve Mason’s glove hand.

            In the third period, the Avalanche notched three more goals to mount a commanding 5-0 lead. 

            Semyon Varlamov stopped 22 shots for Colorado in the shutout victory.

            Looking ahead, the Blue Jackets travel to Pittsburgh where they will face the Penguins on Sunday afternoon.