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Game 23 Preview: Rivalry Reunion

St. Louis Blues @ Columbus Blue Jackets

November 27th, 2011 – 6:00pm EDT
Nationwide Arena – Columbus, OH
Radio – WBNS-FM (97.1) TV – Fox Sports Ohio (HD)
Opponent’s Blog: St. Louis Game Time
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Ken Hitchcock claims he doesn’t have a lot of emotion left about his firing in Columbus, or his return to the confines of Nationwide Arena alongside former Jacket Kris Russell.

If you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you.

Passion is what drives NHL players and coaches – why else put up with insane schedules, constantly being “on the clock” at one level or another, the travel, the wear and tear, the emotional and physical demands?

The Blues have been running hot since Hitch took over behind the bench for Davis Payne, while the Jackets are riding a five game point streak and looking to make it six.

These are teams who don’t like each other terribly much, frequently engage in intensely physical battles, and now you add this fuel to the fire.

No emotion? Sure.

Projected Lineups

(Note: Lines are based on combinations used in practice yesterday and are subject to change)

Columbus Blue Jackets

(’11-’12: 6-13-3, 15 Points; 5th division, 15th conference)

Vinny Prospal Jeff Carter
Rick Nash
R.J. Umberger
Mark Letestu
Ryan Johansen
Antoine Vermette
Samuel Pahlsson
Derek Dorsett
Derick Brassard Derek MacKenzie
Jared Boll

Fedor Tyutin Nikita Nikitin
James Wisniewski Marc Methot
John Moore
Grant Clitsome

Curtis Sanford
Steve Mason

St. Louis Blues

(’11-’12: 12-8-2, 26 Points; 3rd Division, 8th Conference)

Alexander Steen David Backes
T.J. Oshie
Chris Stewart Patrik Berglund
Matt D’Agostini
Vladimir Sobotka Jason Arnott Jamie Langenbrunner
Brett Sterling Scott Nichol
Ryan Reaves

Ian Cole Alex Pietrangelo
Barret Jackman Kevin Shattenkirk
Kris Russell Roman Polak

Brian Elliott
Jaroslav Halak

By The Numbers (’11-’12 Season)

Scoring
STL – 2.50 G/G (20th)
CBJ – 2.41 G/G (23rd)

Defense
STL – 2.09 (2nd)
CBJ – 3.18 GA/G (26th)

Power Play
STL – 8.4% (30th)
CBJ – 14.1% (23rd)

Penalty Kill
STL – 79.5% (22nd)
CBJ – 74.7% (29th)

Game Notes:

  • If the Blues do start Brian Elliott, this is not a “normal” backup – the former Ottawa starter is in a true 50/50 situation with Halak right now, and is currently 9-1 on the season with a 1.34 GAA and .951 SV%. Elliott has faced the Jackets three times in his career and is 2-0-1 with a 2.91 GAA and .899 SV%.
  • A Ken Hitchcock team leading the league in defense? Well, I never…
  • This game is virtually guaranteed to be a physical affair. The Jackets need to play smart here. Clean hits, hard checks, and go for the puck. Let the Blues get themselves into penalty trouble and see if we can’t abuse that PK a bit.
  • In their last four games, the Blues have scored two goals three times, and managed a third goal to win in OT vs. Pittsburgh. In fact, since Hitch came in on November 8th (9 games), they’ve scored two goals or less five times. If the Jackets can keep up their offensive production in front of Curtis Sanford, it could go a long way towards a win.
  • Speaking of Sanford, this will be the first time he’s faced his former team since losing the Blues backup job in 2007. You have to think he’d like to mark the occasion with a big win.
  • Since the trade: Kris Russel has 2G, 1A, and +4 in 7GP. Nikita Nikitin has 5A, +3 in the same span of time.
  • Both teams are scoring by committee right now, but a player to keep an eye on is Chris Stewart, who recently returned from suspension. The young power forward is off to a slow start this season, but he’s previously been extremely dangerous against Columbus, averaging a point a game. The Jackets’ defense needs to break that streak and add to his struggles.
  • No lineup changes expected, so Cody Bass will sit while Brass gets a chance to shine. Steve Mason, meanwhile, will serve as backup and Allen York is on his way back to Springfield.