Game 42 Preview: The End Of The Road (trip)
With last night's loss, the Jackets put the first half of the season behind them. All in all, surprisingly, they're still just at .500. It's not good enough for a playoff spot, but it is worth remembering that for all the frustration and setbacks, there's been success here.
Perhaps, just perhaps, there might even be a chance at pulling things out of the fire - after all, they're still only 4 points out of the playoffs.
Need a better example? Look at the LA Kings.
World-beaters to start the season, they're in the midst of a nasty losing streak, and are actually right there with the Jackets in the standings wondering what they need to do to get themselves back into the playoff picture.
I have no doubt that both locker rooms are saying, "Look we can BEAT these guys, and get ourselves off the skids."
The deck will be stacked in LA's favor, but the Jackets shocked them at home already this season.
I'm going to be hopeful, but it is obvious that I have made some bad decisions in the past.
| Game Time: 10:30 pm EST |
| TV: Fox Sports Ohio (HD) |
| Radio: 97.1 WFAN |
| Blue Jackets vs Kings coverage |
| Opponent's Blog: Jewels From The Crown |
Keys To The Game
- Special Teams For The Love Of God - Nuff said.
- Dustin Brown - The Kings' captain is probably one of the best at drawing penalties in the NHL. He plays right on that fine edge, and more often than not he can deliver a subtle elbow or a artfully minimal looking knee to the kidney, yet avoid a penalty call, while the player taking exception finds himself in the box for roughing or cross-checking. Not succumbing to his temptations will be key.
- False Confidence Is Better Than None - The Kings have had an even worse month than the Blue Jackets, and they've only had one really notable win in December or the new year - a blasting of the San Jose Sharks. If the Jackets can come in and get some early pressure, I think it could really unwind the Kings.
Honestly, I want the team to win, but I realize that this does not look like a good situation. Much like the guy who goes home with a cute girl from the bar and then finds out she wants to "re-enact this picture she found on the internet...", I'll be happy if the team can just get out of there without leaving behind embarrassing evidence.
Blue Jackets Information:
| Team Page | Schedule |
| Roster | Stats |
| Kristian Huselius | Antoine Vermette | Rick Nash |
| R.J. Umberger | Derick Brassard | Jakub Voracek |
| Andrew Murray | Samuel Pahlsson | Derek Dorsett |
| Jared Boll | Derek MacKenzie | Matt Calvert |
| Jan Hejda | Fedor Tyutin |
| Rostislav Klesla | Marc Methot |
| Anton Stralman | Kris Russell |
| Mathieu Garon |
| Steve Mason |
| Brad Richardson | Anze Kopitar | Dustin Brown |
| Ryan Smyth | Jarret Stoll | Justin Williams |
| Dwight King | Michael Handzus | Wayne Simmonds |
| Kyle Clifford | Trevor Lewis | Kevin Westgarth |
| Rob Scuderi | Drew Doughty |
| Matt Greene | Jack Johnson |
| Davis Drewiske | Peter Harrold |
| Jonathan Quick |
| Johnathan Bernier |
Tidbit: Sometimes you cut off someone's nose to spite their face, and sometimes you cut it off to sell their nose for drugs on the black market.