These are not the same old Blue Jackets. How can you tell?

Ten one goal losses that's how. The Jackets have been infinitely more competitive than they've been in the last two of three seasons.

Ten one goal losses in 21 games.

The best team in the NHL right now is clearly the Chicago Black Hawks. The Jackets have lost to the Hawks three times. Each time by one goal.

These are not the same old Blue Jackets.

This is a team that has to be perfect every night. A bad pass or a stupid penalty can be the difference between winning and losing.

In Chicago Friday night, a bad penalty contributed to the Hawks first goal and a bad pass contributed to their third goal.

The Jackets have been competitive and carried a legimate to chance to win into the third period of all but about three games.

They are not the same old Blue Jackets.

They trade Rick Nash to the Rangers for Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky. Anisimove has missed 5 of the last seven games due to injury. Dubinsky has missed the last six with a sprained knee.

The defensive paring of James Wisniewski and Jackson Johnson didn't play in Chicago and won't play Sunday again Colorado. Wiz is out for a month with a broekn bone in his right foot. Johnson has missed the last three games due to a shoulder injury.

Defenseman John Moore hurt himself in practice Friday in Chicago. That's right, practice. That meant calling up yet another young defenseman from Springfield.

Eight players have played for both the Blue Jackets and the minor league team in Springfield since the NHL resumed play in January. That makes the youngest team in the NHL even younger.

The Jackets play Colorado Sunday afternoon at 3:00. That means no morning skate for the team.

My suggestion for each of the Jackets would be to take advantage of this rare opportunity to stop into the house or worship of their choice.

What this team needs more than anything else right now is a prayer.