Game 69 Preview: Jackets Look for Third Straight Win
Figures. The Jackets are all but officially out of the playoffs, so they start winning again. They win just enough to get out of the draft lottery, picking in the 6-7 range. I know not every fan out there wants the team to tank if they are out of the playoffs, but man wouldn't a Taylor Hall or Cam Fowler look good right about now?
The Jackets are in the midst of a modest two-game winning streak. They are going for their third in a row tonight against the St. Louis Blues. Mase is back in the net tonight after getting pulled last weekend against LA. Mathieu Garon had two outstanding starts before tonight, let's hope Mase can continue that high level of play. Chris Mason is in net for the Blues.
The other storyline tonight is that Nasher is out....again. Ditto for Juice. He gave it a shot last game but re-tweaked his injury. The Umby-Brass-Jake line needs to really step it up. Two of the three players on the second scoring line were on the fourth line last game.
Fearless Prediction: Kris Russell has a huge game. Goal perhaps?
Game Time: 7:00pm ET
Opponent's Blog: St. Louis Game Time
Game Page: Blues vs Blue Jackets coverage
TV: FSN
Radio: WBNS-AM (1460); WWCD-FM (101.1)
More after the jump...
From the Columbus Dispatch:
After dropping five of six to the Blues last season, the Blue Jackets are 3-1-0 against them this season. With two-thirds of the top line out because of injuries, the Blue Jackets will have to outwork the Blues to have a chance. The Blue Jackets are 5-6-5 against Central Division opponents 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 | Derick Brassard | Jakub Voracek |
| Andrew Murray | Antoine Vermette | Derek Dorsett |
| Chris Clark | Samuel Pahlsson | Jared Boll |
| Nathan Paetsch | Michael Blunden | Maksim Mayorov |
| Fedor Tyutin | Anton Stralman |
| Marc Methot | Jan Hejda |
| Kris Russell | Mike Commodore |
| Steve Mason |
| Mathieu Garon |
| EXTRA: None |
| INJURED/SICK: Derek MacKenzie, Kristian Huselius, Rick Nash, Rostislav Klesla |
St. Louis Blues
| Paul Kariya | David Backes | T.J. Oshie |
| Andy MacDonald | Patrick Berglund | David Perron |
| Alexander Steen | Jay McClement | Brad Boyes |
| Brad Winchester | B.J. Crombeen | Matt D'Agostini |
| Eric Brewer | Erik Johnson |
| Barret Jackman | Roman Polak |
| Carlo Colaiacovo | Mike Weaver |
| Chris Mason |
| Ty Conklin |