Game 4 (X) Preview: Jackets @ Pens

Gee, doesn't it seem like we were just playing these guys yesterday?

...oh, right. 

Anyhow - tonight will be something of a "power for power" matchup, with Nash, Brass, and Voracek hoping to counter the offensive punch of Crosby and Malkin, while Nikita Filatov, Ryan Johansen, and Maxim Mayorov could provide an "X-factor" to help tip the scales to the road team. Also keep an eye on Matt Calvert and Oliver Gabriel - can they continue to provide unexpected offense against a veteran Penguin blue line?

On the defense, Jan Hejda and David Savard will draw the task of trying to keep the Pens' top players bottled up, while the coaching staff hopes that the offensive skills of John Moore and Nate Guenin will compliment each other without becoming a defensive liability. 

On the bottom pairing, Fedor Tyutin has one simple job tonight: Teach the team how to question Malkin's parentage in Russian  Prove to the coaching staff that his poor performance against Washington on Wednesday night was a fluke.

Fearless Prediction: Filatov with a goal, David Savard ends the night at least +1 once again.

Game Time: 7:00 ET

Opponent's blog: Pensburgh

TV: NHL Network (tape delayed until 1:00am)

Radio: WWCD-FM (102.5)

From the Columbus Dispatch:

Jackets Links:

Columbus Blue Jackets / Columbus Blue Jackets Schedule

Columbus Blue Jackets Roster / Columbus Blue Jackets Stats

 

Here are the lineups for tonight's tilt:

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Pens have not announced line combinations, but here are the players who will dress for the game. 

Forwards: Arron Asham, Chris Conner, Ryan Craig, Sidney Crosby, Pascal Dupuis, Dustin Jeffrey, Nick Johnson, Tyler Kennedy, Evgeni Malkin, Brent Sterling, Eric Tangradi, Joe Vitale, and Tim Wallace.

Defense: Simon Despres, Deryk Engelland, Andrew Hutchinson, Kris Letang, Zbynek "God Bless You" Michalek, Brooks Orpik, Corey Potter, and Steve Wagner  

Goalies: Marc-Andre Fleury, Brad Thiessen.