Game 58 Preview: Jackets in Denver to take on the Avs
The Jackets are in Denver tonight to face the Avalanche tonight. They have lost three in a row, and the Jackets are coming off of a huge win against the Blues where Matty Garon looked fantastic. He'll get the start again tonight against Anderson. This would be the prime time to kick the Avs while they're down, so to speak, and gain some points. Every game from here out is crucial, so if an opponent is struggling, they must continue to struggle at the hands of the Jackets if the team is even come close to the playoffs.
Stralman and Juice are back from their bout with the flu, and will likely enter into the lineup in place of Methot and MurrDogg. Commie is out with an injury. Man, that guy can't get a break this season.
This has the makings of a gritty game, likely low scoring. The top lines will have to shine for each squad in this one!
Fearless Prediction: Vermette and Umberger have multi-point nights.
Game Time: 9:00pm ET
Opponent's Blog: Mile High Hockey
Game Page: Blue Jackets vs Avalanche coverage
TV: FSN
Radio: WBNS-AM (1460); WWCD-FM (101.1)
More after the jump...
From the Columbus Dispatch:
A season after sweeping the four-game season series against the Avs for the first time in franchise history, the Blue Jackets might have the favor returned. The Jackets have alternated wins and losses in their past seven games. The Avalanche has lost three straight, its longest pointless streak of the season. Coach Joe Sacco scratched D John-Michael Liles, the team's third-highest paid defenseman, on Sunday night.
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
| R.J. Umberger | Antoine Vermette | Rick Nash |
| Kristian Huselius | Derick Brassard | Jakub Voracek |
| Fredrik Modin | Samuel Pahlsson | Chris Clark |
| Raffi Torres | Derek Dorsett | Jared Boll |
| Fedor Tyutin | Anton Stralman |
| Mathieu Roy | Jan Hejda |
| Kris Russell | Milan Jurcina |
| Mathieu Garon |
| Steve Mason |
| EXTRA: Marc Methot, Andrew Murray |
| INJURED/SICK: Mike Commodore, Rostislav Klesla |
| Wojtek Wolski | Paul Stastny | Chris Stewart |
| T.J. Galiardi | Matt Duchene | Brandon Yip |
| Cody McLeod | Ryan O'Reilly | Justin Mercier |
| David Koci | Chris Durno | Darcy Tucker |
| Kyle Quincey | Scott Hannan |
| Kyle Cumiskey | Adam Foote |
| Ryan Wilson | Brett Clark |
| Craig Anderson |
| Peter Budaj |