Game 67 Preview: Final Game of California Road Trip
This is the third game of a California road trip that has been an absolute nightmare for the Jackets. They were embarassed by the LA Kings last night. The Jackets didn't look good at all last night, not in any of the three zones. Steve Mason was clearly rattled after the first couple of goals and was pulled. After every goal you could see him sneaking glances over to the bench. He's clearly lacking in some confidence right now. To add insult to injury, Rick Nash left the game with a "lower body injury" and didn't return. It's unsure if he can go tonight.
Matty Garon will likely get the start, and it's not looking good for Huselius to be in the lineup. Maksim Mayorov and Derek MacKenzie have been called up from Syracuse. Look for Mayorov to get a chance on a scoring line tonight.
Fearless Prediction: A fight or two.
Game Time: 10:00pm ET
Opponent's Blog: Anaheim Calling
Game Page: Blue Jackets vs Ducks coverage
TSN Preview: Blue Jackets vs Ducks preview
TV: FSN
Radio: WBNS-AM (1460); WWCD-FM (101.1)
More after the jump...
From the Columbus Dispatch:
One team is out of the playoff picture, the other is fading fast. The Ducks should be in desperation mode tonight as they try to remain in the Western Conference race. The are 0-2-1 since the Olympic break and blew a two-goal, third-period lead in a 4-3 shootout loss to Montreal on Sunday. The Jackets know all about blowing third-period leads to lose games. They have done it a league-leading 10 times this season.
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 |
| Maksim Mayorov | Derick Brassard | Jakub Voracek |
| Chris Clark | Samuel Pahlsson | Derek Dorsett |
| Andrew Murray | Michael Blunden | Jared Boll |
| Fedor Tyutin | Anton Stralman |
| Mike Commodore | Jan Hejda |
| Kris Russell | Marc Methot |
| Mathieu Garon |
| Steve Mason |
| EXTRA: Derek MacKenzie, Nathan Paetsch |
| INJURED/SICK: Kristian Huselius, Rostislav Klesla |
| Bobby Ryan | Ryan Getzlaf | Corey Perry |
| Jason Blake | Saku Koivu | Teemu Selanne |
| Matt Beleskey | Todd Marchant | Dan Sexton |
| Troy Bodie | Ryan Carter | George Parros |
| James Wisniewski | Scott Niedermayer |
| Lubomir Visnovsky | Aaron Ward |
| Steve Eminger | Sheldon Brookbank |
| Jonas Hiller |
| Curtis McElhinney |