Game 40 Game Thread: Columbus Blue Jackets at Los Angeles Kings

by Dan P. on Jan 7, 2012 3:00 PM EST in Game Threads

A matinee game! The Jackets head into the Staples Center to take on the suddenly-surging Kings at 4:00 Columbus time today. They'll do so with a juggled lineup, without Mark Letestu (broken hand) and with newly called up Ryan Russell. Also, Ryan Johansen finds himself again back in fourth-line-purgotory, for whatever reason. Gadzooks.

The Kings aren't scoring much more than the Jackets right now, but they're doing it with defense and a very good penalty kill. Columbus will have its work cut out for it today to try to outscore this stubborn defensive unit.

The Jackets' once-and-former top line is back, with Vinny Prospal returning to the left wing of Jeff Carter and Rick Nash. We'll see if the spark is back, too.

If you can turn off the NFL game long enough, do enjoy this one! It's the rare West Coast game on at a time when we can all watch it without the aid of crystal meth to stay awake. And, since the NHLPA just blocked realignment, we need all of these that we can get since the travel schedule ain't changing anytime soon.

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I’m surprised by the Russell call-up. I was expecting to see Calvert or Atkinson, and hoping to see Mayorov. He looked great in the preseason games, and even at the start of the season, when he was asked to play on the checking line, he played responsible defensively.

I’d love to see him get a chance with some offensive talent around him, if the Jackets ever tried to put together the oft-mentioned third scoring line, a trio of Mayorov – Brassard – Johanson could be very productive. Especially with the top lines drawing the tougher matchups.

by Josh Owen on Jan 7, 2012 3:34 PM EST reply actions

Wow. The Jackets are playing like Arniel agreed to resign if they played a full 60 minutes. Hopefully they keep it up through the third!

by Toxichighway on Jan 7, 2012 5:47 PM EST reply actions

And good to see the powerplay’s getting at least a little competent. It was starting to look like Arniel’s idea of practicing the powerplay was just having guys skate from the other team’s end to our end to gather up the freshly-iced puck. Now we’re at least keeping it in their zone for a little while.

by Toxichighway on Jan 7, 2012 5:51 PM EST reply actions

Here’s to hoping Sanford can play one more awesome period. Good to see Brassard playing well, let him off the fourth line and he set up our lone goal with a beautiful cross-ice pass through traffic to a pinching Clitsome.

Anyways, time to get out the rabbits foot, 1-0 lead going into the 3rd with a double minor to kill, we’ll need all the luck we can get.

by Josh Owen on Jan 7, 2012 6:02 PM EST reply actions

…good PK, nice work by Sanford, and sloppy Kings PP and we almost killed the whole double minor.

Then Methot takes a slash to give them a brief 5 on 3, and some more time on the power play. Sometimes it’s like they want to break down in the third.

by Josh Owen on Jan 7, 2012 6:11 PM EST reply actions

Another PP….

1-0 with 1:25 to go

Pulled goalie…. 6 on 4

This has not gone well for the Jackets in the past…

by Josh Owen on Jan 7, 2012 6:38 PM EST reply actions

Shutout

Jackets win

by Josh Owen on Jan 7, 2012 6:41 PM EST reply actions

Sanford was unreal that game. Much-deserved SO for him.

by Toxichighway on Jan 7, 2012 6:46 PM EST reply actions

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