Game #73 Preview: Blue Jackets Try to Put Out Flames

Tuesday, March 19, 2019 – 9:00 EST
Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Canada
TV: Fox Sports Ohio – Radio: 97.1 FM
Opponent’s Blog: Matchsticks & Gasoline

Columbus Blue Jackets, 40-28-4, 84 points, 5th Metro, 8th East

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Calgary Flames, 44-21-7, 95 points, 1st Pacific, 1st West

On Dec. 4 the Columbus Blue Jackets hosted the Calgary Flames, taking a 3-1 lead into the first period intermission, and a 4-1 lead 49 seconds into the second period. The Flames won that game 9-6. Tonight, the teams reconvene in Calgary, as the Flames, who have already clinched a playoff spot, lead the Western Conference with 95 points while the Blue Jackets try to inch closer to a playoff berth, hanging on in the wild card race in the East.

Columbus lost their last outing Saturday night in Boston, 2-1, in overtime, while the Flames lost to the Jets Saturday 2-1 in Winnipeg.

Player to Watch

We highlighted Josh Anderson on Sunday and with good reason. No. 77 has been clicking in recent outings, and seems to have found a new home — for now — alongside Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel. Anderson has six points (two goals, four assists) in his last five games. In five career games against Calgary, he has two goals, but with the way he’s been playing of late, such as with speed and power driving to the net, he’s a threat to score in any game right now.

Jackets Notes

Nick Foligno missed Saturday’s game at Boston due to a personal issue and will not be with the team tonight. … Ryan Dzingel is missed practice Monday and is considered dinged up after taking a hit from Zdeno Chara Saturday. … Alexander Wennberg filled in for Dzingel on the second line at left wing Monday at practice alongside Matt Duchene and Josh Anderson. … Artemi Panarin has just four assists in March and has not scored a goal since Feb. 28, a string of nine games. … Pierre-Luc Dubois has not recorded a point since Feb. 28. … Sergei Bobrovsky figures to get the start. … He is 7-3-2 in his career against the Flames. … Columbus has won eight consecutive games at Calgary.

John Tortorella on Ryan Dzingel’s absence from practice:

“I’m not sure. He’s just a little dinged up. We gave him a day off.”

Does he go vs #NHLFlames on Tues?

“I have no idea, so wait until tomorrow”

So … more than a maintenance day?

“We”ll wait until tomorrow.”#CBJ

— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) March 18, 2019

Some PP changes without Dzingel and Foligno.

Wennberg rejoins the PP as net-front guy on the top unit, moving Atkinson to the middle spot between the circles.

Jones now QB of the top unit, Werenski QB of the 2nd. #CBJ

— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) March 18, 2019

The Other Bench

As Calgary pushes towards their first division crown since 2005-06, and their first playoffs since 2016-17, Johnny Gaudreau has been a wrecking ball for opponents. Gaudreau leads the Flames in scoring with 91 points, which puts him tied-for-fifth among all NHLers, and his 34 goals, 57 assists, also leads the Flames. Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan rank among the top 22 in scoring with 77 and 76 points respectively. In goal, David Rittich has made a name for himself, posting a 25-7-5 record in 38 starts with a .910 SV% and 2.65 GAA. Rittich has won his last three decisions, yielding eight goals over the three contests. Mike Smith shares the load with a 19-14-2 record, but only a .896 SV% and 2.88 GAA.

James Neal has been sidelined with a lower-body ailment and is week-to-week. Sam Bennett  (lower body) and Sean Monahan (illness) missed Saturday’s game. The Flames have been a menace on home ice with a 23-7-5 mark, which makes for an interesting game against road-tested Columbus who is 20-12-2 on the road.

Season Series

12/04/2018 CGY 9 @ CBJ 6
3/19/2019 CBJ @ CGY

Stats

Projected Lineups

Columbus Blue Jackets

Calgary Flames