Game 71 Preview: Jackets take on the Wild

Twelve games left in the season. Not much left to play for, but tonight on a personal level I hope we take it to Minny. Nothing against the team itself, I am just one of those CBJ fans who has a natural dislike for our expansion cousins. I was one of those fans who pouted when Minny made the playoffs first, etc. It’s funny though, had the result of my coin toss gone the other way I would be saying the same thing about the Blue Jackets…..

The Wild defense is in rough shape. They are starting a rookie back there tonight and the team is also without starting goaltender Niklas Backstrom. The Jackets have some good news and bad news going into tonight’s game- they are going to be without Rusty Klesla and Jan Hejda for the rest of the season, but Rick Nash makes his return tonight after suffering a sore back, followed by the stomach flu. Matty Garon gets the start tonight against Josh Harding.

Fearless Prediction: Rick Nash scores in his return from injury/illness.

Game Time: 7:00pm ET

Opponent’s Blog: Hockey Wilderness

Game Page: Wild vs Blue Jackets coverage

TSN Preview: Wild vs Blue Jackets preview

TV: FSN

Radio: WBNS-AM (1460); WWCD-FM (101.1)

More after the jump…

From the Columbus Dispatch:

The Blue Jackets haven’t played since Monday, but the Wild played last night in Nashville. How do the 2000-01 expansion teams compare? Columbus is 275-356-33-62 with one playoff appearance; Minnesota is 327-284-55-59 with three playoff appearances.

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

Minnesota Wild