Barret Jackman disappeared when Blues needed him most

St. Louis Blues defenseman and assistant captain Barret Jackman posted a minus three and played just over 13 minutes in the Blues 5-2 humiliating defeat against the L.A. Kings on Monday night. - Photo courtesy of Getty Images

With the status of star defenseman Alex Pietrangelo uncertain for the St. Louis Blues second round, game two matchup with the Los Angeles Kings, everybody knew that the other defenseman would have to step up and play better than they did in game one if the Blues hoped to tie the series.

Many speculated on how Ian Cole would respond in his first game actions since March 22nd.  Many hoped that Kevin Shattenkirk would step up in Petro's absence.

While nearly everyone was awful, especially in the first period of the Blues 5-2 loss to the Kings to fall in a 0-2 hole in the series, veteran defenseman Barret Jackman was particularly bad on a night where the Blues needed him most.  

Jackman was not just bad, he practically disappeared.

Normally team leaders and wily veterans step up when a young team, down a game and their best player, needs a shot in the arm.

But Jackman, who is an assistant captain on the team, had possibly his worst game of the season and looked lost in doing so.  Jackman was a minus three on the evening and specifically watched the man he was marking score two occassions during the epically awful first period that saw the Kings jump out to a 4-0 lead.

Jackman had a great regular season for the Blues, posting 13 points in 81 games and a plus/minus rating of plus 20.  But on Monday night, when the Blues needed leadership and strength on the defensive line, Jackman was nowhere to be found.

Literally.  He only played 13:16, versus his season average of over 20 minutes per game.

Jackman was not alone in his poor play.  All of the defenseman left goalie Brian Elliott helpless for nearly all of the Kings five goals.

But Jackman was on the ice for three of the goals, did not log any meaningful or positive minutes in Petro's absence, and is the type of veteran player a young team depends on when facing adversity.  When a team comes out in the playoffs with no energy, plays lost, and looks scared, the blame starts to fall on the veterans to lead by example.  The problem was that Jackman himself was lost and looked to be lost and scared himself, failing to help Elliott defend the net in the humiliating first period.

On Monday, Jackman certainly failed and it was a big, but not the only reason the Blues missed a chance to tie the series before it heads back to Southern California on Thursday night.

Jackman must play better in game three and the rest of the Blues better follow.