Game #26 Preview: Jackets look to keep the puck movin’ against Dallas

Saturday, March 6, 2021 – 8:00 EST
American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
TV: Fox Sports Ohio – Radio: WBNS FM
Opponent’s Blog: Defending Big D

The weird thing about writing previews this season is that there’s a good chance the Jackets are in the midst of a 2 or 3 game set.  Not a lot of news can happen in a couple of days.  Last time out, the CBJ jumped out to a 3-0 lead over Dallas before holding on at the end for a 3-2 victory.  Dallas hadn’t scored in roughly 14 years, but managed to get a couple by Joonas Korpisalo in the 3rd period.

A few questions:

Is this turnaround for the Jackets the start of something good?  Did the team decide to put as much support as they could behind Jarmo’s vote of confidence?  Or is this a blip?  I think a third win puts the argument to rest in favor of ‘something good’.

Then there’s Dallas.  Was their offensive explosion (relatively speaking…I mean, they’d been shutout over 26 games or something) a result of something clicking?  Or was it the oft result of the Tortle?  I prefer to blame the Tortle.

No lineup updates posted as of this writing, but I’m somewhat hoping Korpi gets a breather.  Though Elvis is skating again – perhaps he’s close to returning.

Player to Watch

Boone Jenner

I actually wanted this preview to be an Ode to Boone Jenner, but I had to mention Dallas, apparently.  Just about every other player on this team has had a rough stretch (or season).  Except Boone.  Let’s look at a few numbers:

15 points in 25 games — an 82 game pace of 49, which would be his best season since the 2015-16 season.

Only 2 PIM so far this season.

A FO% of 55.8 – a career high

30 blocked shots in 25 games – on pace for 98 in 82 games, a career high

A 15.4 shooting percentage, a career high, but he’s doing it by scoring in the crease.

Only 2 of his 15 points are on special teams – 1 on the power play and 1 on the penalty kill

Boone Jenner is having the best season of his career, imo, and I think it’s because he’s finally able to play wing again full time.  Torts has botched plenty of things this season – I suppose as all coaches do – but he has almost entirely left Boone on the wing and that’s been to the team’s benefit.

So here’s to Boone Jenner!  Keep it up.

Season Series

02/02/21 DAL 6 @ CBJ 3
02/04/21 DAL 3 @ CBJ 4
03/04/21 CBJ 3 @ DAL 2
03/06/21 CBJ @ DAL
03/13/21 DAL @ CBJ
03/14/21 DAL @ CBJ
04/15/21 CBJ @ DAL
04/17/21 CBJ @ DAL

Magic Eight Ball Lineups

Stats