Game 64 Preview: NHL Hockey is Back! Jackets take on Canucks
After a two week hiatus, the Blue Jackets return to the ice tonight against the Vancouver Canucks. Team Canada hero Roberto Luongo won't be getting the start tonight, rather Andrew Raycroft will go head to head with Steve Mason. The Columbus lineup doesn't feature any surprising changes since the last game, except for the callup of Grant Clitsome. He'll be making his NHL debut tonight. Milan Jurcina is "hurt".
Tonight is important because it could be the last game for Raffi Torres and Fredrik Modin in a CBJ sweater. These two, along with Jurcina, are likely to be moved at the deadline, which is at 3pm ET tomorrow. This game is also important because it's the final stretch leading up to the playoffs. It's going to be nearly impossible for the Jackets to sneak in, but this stretch could go a long way towards building to for next year. Look for many auditions, starting tonight with Clitsome.
Fearless Prediction: Raffi scores in (likely) his last game as a Blue Jacket.
Game Time: 7:00pm ET
Opponent's Blog: Nucks Misconduct
Game Page: Canucks vs Blue Jackets coverage
TSN Preview: Canucks vs Blue Jackets preview
TV: FSN
Radio: WBNS-AM (1460); WWCD-FM (101.1)
More after the jump...
From the Columbus Dispatch:
The stretch run begins tonight, with the Blue Jackets having just 19 games left. Wingers Raffi Torres and Fredrik Modin, along with defenseman Milan Jurcina, might be playing their final game as Jackets. All three are unrestricted free agents and could be dealt in advance of Wednesday's 3 p.m. trade deadline.
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
| Kristian Huselius | Antoine Vermette | Rick Nash |
| Raffi Torres | Derick Brassard | Jakub Voracek |
| R.J. Umberger | Samuel Pahlsson | Fredrik Modin |
| Chris Clark | Derek Dorsett | Jared Boll |
| Fedor Tyutin | Anton Stralman |
| Marc Methot | Jan Hejda |
| Kris Russell | Grant Clitsome |
| Steve Mason |
| Mathieu Garon |
| EXTRA: Andrew Murray |
| INJURED/SICK: Milan Jurcina, Mike Commodore, Rostislav Klesla |
Vancouver Canucks
| Alexandre Burrows | Henrik Sedin | Daniel Sedin |
| Pavol Demitra | Ryan Kesler | Mikael Samuelsson |
| Mason Raymond | Kyle Wellwood | Tanner Glass |
| Darcy Hordichuk | Ryan Johnson | Rick Rypien |
| Alexander Edler | Sami Salo |
| Christian Ehrhoff | Shane O'Brien |
| Aaron Rome | Brad Lukowich |
| Andrew Raycroft |
| Roberto Luongo |