Game 70 Preview: Battle of the Western Conference Cellar-Dwellars
his game is one of those hockey games where late in the season two teams are playing for pride, and nothing more. They aren't close in the standings, yet they are the two worst teams in the Western Conference. There's no jockeying for position. That said, I always like playing the Oil. I find them fun to watch, especially Gagner.
It's hard to imagine this game being a high-scoring affair, but given the names on the Oilers blueline and the fact Columbus' achilles heel all season has been poor defensive play this one could be a shootout. Rick Nash is out again for the Jackets, this time with the flu. Juice is going to give it another go however.
The battle between the pipes at this point looks to be between Steve Mason and Jeff Deslauriers. Mase needs to get back on track and finish the season strong, it will only help him going into next season.
Fearless Prediction: Gilbert Brule scores for the Oil, 'jus cuz.
Game Time: 7:00pm ET
Opponent's Blog: The Copper & Blue
Game Page: Oilers vs Blue Jackets coverage
TSN Preview: Oilers vs Blue Jackets preview
TV: FSN
Radio: WBNS-AM (1460); WWCD-FM (101.1)
More after the jump...
From the Columbus Dispatch:
Both teams are without their top offensive talents. The Blue Jackets' Rick Nash is out because of the flu, while Ales Hemsky of the Oilers has been out since November because of a shoulder injury. The Oilers are 1-14-1 on the road since mid-December, including a 6-4 loss in Toronto on Saturday.
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 |
| Kristian Huselius | Antoine Vermette | Derek Dorsett |
| Chris Clark | Samuel Pahlsson | Jared Boll |
| Michael Blunden | Andrew Murray | Maksim Mayorov |
| Fedor Tyutin | Anton Stralman |
| Marc Methot | Jan Hejda |
| Kris Russell | Mike Commodore |
| Steve Mason |
| Mathieu Garon |
| EXTRA: Nathan Paetsch |
| INJURED/SICK: Derek MacKenzie, Rick Nash, Rostislav Klesla |
| Dustin Penner | Andrew Cogliano | Gilbert Brule |
| Ethan Moreau | Shawn Horcoff | Mike Comrie |
| Robert Nilsson | Sam Gagner | Marc Pouliot |
| Chris Minard | Ryan Potulny | Zack Stortini |
| Ryan Whitney | Tom Gilbert |
| Taylor Chorney | Jason Strudwick |
| Aaron Johnson | Theo Peckham |
| Jeff Deslauriers |
| Devan Dubnyk |