Game 22: Battle in the Big Apple
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:
These are two teams going in opposite directions. The Jackets have only one regulation loss in their last 10 games. The Rangers have lost three straight and are struggling to score goals. They have been held to two goals or fewer in eight of the last 10 games.
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 |