The big news today is the trade that sent Jason Chimera to the Capitals for Chris Clark and Milan Jurcina. However, the other big piece of news that could happen tonight is much less exciting. If the CBJ lose tonight, they will set a franchise record of ten straight losses.
The team is not only without Chimmer tonight, but Umberger may also be out tonight. He’s a game-time decision with an undisclosed injury. Jurcina and Clark won’t be in the lineup tonight. Steve Mason should get the start. This game could go either way- either the team responds to the trade and comes out flying, or the undermanned squad will come out flat, like lambs being led to slaughter.
The Wings showed that regardless of their injury woes, they are still a dominant team. Todd Bertuzzi scored both goals last time these teams played, one of which was a lucky bounce. Bert’s line of himself, Datsyuk and Holmstrom needs to be contained. Special teams will also be important tonight- the Jackets need to take advantage of powerplays. The one thing that is working for the Jackets needs to be at it’s best tonight if the Jackets want to win.
Fearless Prediction : Today’s trade was a wakeup call, and knowing that if they lose tonight it will be a franchise futility mark, the boys go out and get a win.
Game Time: 7:00pm ET
Opponent’s Blog: Winging It In Motown
Game Page: Red Wings vs Blue Jackets Coverage
TSN Preview: Red Wings vs Blue Jackets Preview
TV: FSN Ohio
Radio: WBNS-AM (1460); WWCD-FM (101.1)
More after the jump…
From the Columbus Dispatch:
A loss tonight by the Blue Jackets would be their 10th straight, a franchise record. In the past seven meetings, including a four-game playoff sweep by Detroit in April, the Red Wings have outscored the Jackets 33-9. The Blue Jackets have lost five of their past six games in Nationwide Arena.
Jackets Links:
Here are the lineups for tonight’s tilt:
Columbus Blue Jackets
| Kristian Huselius |
Antoine Vermette | Rick Nash |
| Alexandre Picard | Derick Brassard | Jakub Voracek |
| Fredrik Modin | Samuel Pahlsson |
Jared Boll |
| Raffi Torres |
Michael Blunden | Andrew Murray |
| Fedor Tyutin | Anton Stralman |
| Mike Commodore |
Kris Russell |
| Jan Hejda |
Mathieu Roy |
| Steve Mason |
| Mathieu Garon |
| EXTRA: Andrew Murray |
| INJURED: R.J. Umberger, Marc Methot, Rostislav Klesla, Derek Dorsett |
| Todd Bertuzzi |
Pavel Datsyuk | Tomas Holmstrom |
| Ville Leino |
Valtteri Filppula | Drew Miller |
| Kris Draper |
Darren Helm | Patrick Eaves |
| Brad May |
Justin Abdelkader |
Kirk Maltby |
| Nicklas Lidstrom | Brian Rafalski |
| Brad Stuart |
Brett Lebda |
| Doug Janik | Derek Meech |
| Jimmy Howard |
| Chris Osgood |