One regulation loss in their last 10. Second in the Central. Powerplay ranked second in the NHL. Penalty kill improving. The Jackets seem to have figured things out, and after a string of poor play, the ship seems to have been righted. The Rangers on the other hand are struggling. They aren't putting up offense, and for a team coached by John Tortorella this is a huge concern. The Jackets have simply dominated the Eastern Conference over the last couple of seasons, so this game has the makings of a big win for the C, B and J.
I had been o-fer in my fearless predictions until last game, when I predicted RJ to have a big game and get off his snide. Hopefully that was the start to a run of correct predictions. I've predicted that Mase has a huge game and gets a doughnut, so here's hoping it comes true!
Same lineup as last game, with Sestito and Russ the healthies. Mike Blunden looked very good playing with Sammy and Chimmer, and I look for him to have another solid game. I wonder if Hitch will match the Pahlsson line or Nasher's line up against Prospal and Garborik?
Regardless- this should be a fun one at MSG. Go Jackets!
Fearless Prediction- Mason takes advantage of the Rangers scoring woes, and gets rewarded with his strong play of late. SHUTOUT!
Game Time: 7:00pm ET
Opponent's Blog: Blueshirt Banter
Game Page: Blue Jackets vs Rangers Coverage
TSN Preview: Blue Jackets vs Rangers Preview
TV: FSN Ohio
Radio: WBNS-AM (1460); WWCD-FM (101.1)
More after the jump...
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
| Kristian Huselius | Antoine Vermette | Rick Nash |
| R.J. Umberger | Derick Brassard | Jakub Voracek |
| Jason Chimera | Samuel Pahlsson | Mike Blunden |
| Raffi Torres | Derek MacKenzie | Jared Boll |
| Fedor Tyutin | Anton Stralman |
| Rostislav Klesla | Jan Hejda |
| Marc Methot | Mike Commodore |
| Steve Mason |
| Mathieu Garon |
| EXTRA: Kris Russell, Tom Sestito |
| INJURED: Fredrik Modin, Andrew Murray, Derek Dorsett |
| Christopher Higgins | Vaclav Prospal | Marian Gaborik |
| P.A. Parenteau | Ryan Callahan | Enver Lisin |
| Sean Avery | Artem Anisimov | Ales Kotalik |
| Donald Brashear | Brian Boyle | Aaron Voros |
| Marc Staal | Daniel Girardi |
| Wade Redden | Matt Gilroy |
| Michael Del Zotto | Michal Rozsival |
| Henrik Lundqvist |
| Stephen Valiquette |