Chicago Blackhawks at Columbus Blue Jackets
March 20, 2012 – 7:00pm EDT
Nationwide Arena – Columbus, Ohio
Radio – WBNS 97.1 – TV – Fox Sports Ohio
Opponents Blog: Second City Hockey
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OK, it’s the last chance for the Jackets to get A POINT against the Blackhawks. Shoot, it’d be nice to see a game closer than three goals. Chicago has outscored Columbus 26-9 in the first five games, so… yeah. Defense! Goals!
Columbus is battling–you guessed it–some additional injuries: James Wisniewski is out with concussion symptoms after taking a shot to the face on Sunday night. Curtis Sanford is out with a torn quad. But, other than that, how’d you like the play Mrs. Lincoln? In their place tonight will be David Savard and Allen York, respectively.
In all seriousness, Columbus has beaten every other team in their division except Chicago. The Blackhawks need the points, sitting at third in the division and sixth in the conference. They will most likely be without Jonathan Toews, himself battling a concussion.
Come on, boys. One time. Keep it close.
Projected Lineups
Columbus Blue Jackets
(23-42-7, 53 Points; 5th division, 15th conference)
| R.J. Umberger | Derick Brassard | Rick Nash |
| Vinny Prospal | Mark Letestu | Cam Atkinson |
| Colton Gillies | Ryan Johansen | Derek Dorsett |
| Ryan Russell | Darryl Boyce | Jared Boll |
| Jack Johnson | Nikita Nikitin |
| John Moore | Aaron Johnson |
| Brett Lebda | David Savard |
| Steve Mason |
| Allen York |
Chicago Blackhawks
(40-25-8, 88 Points; 3rd Division, 6th Conference)
| Patrick Sharp | Patrick Kane | Marian Hossa |
| Andrew Brunette | Marcus Kruger | Viktor Stalberg |
| Bryan Bickell | Dave Bolland | John Scott |
| Jimmy Hayes | Jamal Mayers | Michael Frolik |
| Duncan Keith | Dylan Olsen |
| Brent Seabrook | Johnny Oduya |
| Nick Leddy | Niklas Hjalmarsson |
| Corey Crawford |
| Ray Emery |
Season Series
10/29/11 – Columbus 2 at Chicago 5 – RECAP
11/10/11 – Chicago 6 at Columbus 3 – RECAP
12/26/11 – Columbus 1 at Chicago 4
01/10/12 – Columbus 2 at Chicago 5 – RECAP
02/18/12 – Chicago 6 at Columbus 1 – RECAP
03/20/12 – Columbus at Chicago
Head to Head
Chicago Columbus 2.97 (6th) GPG 2.25 (29th) 2.85 (23rd) GAPG 3.14 (29th) 15.4% (23rd) PP% 15.0% (26th) 78.6% (26th) PK% 76.6% (30th) Jonathan Toews, 29 G Leader Rick Nash, 24 Marian Hossa, 43 A Leader Vinny Prospal, 33 Marian Hossa, 71 PTS Leader Rick Nash, 47 Jamal Mayers, 89 PIM Leader Derek Dorsett, 194 15-18-3 Road/Home 13-19-3 3/18 vs. Washington, W 5-2 Last Game 3/18 @ Calgary, W 2-1 (SO) 7-2-1 Last 10 5-5-0
Game Notes:
- Stop Stalberg – He has 18 goals and 19 assists for 37 points in 70 games on the season. Eight of those goals (and one assist) have come in five games against Columbus. In 11 career games against the Jackets, he has 10 goals and an assist. Come on guys. Put a body on him.
- Dreadful PK – These two teams have two of the five worst PK units in the league. The Jackets have been slumping on the PP, so perhaps there is a weakness to be exploited.
The Blackhawks are desperate for points, and clearly have had the Jackets’ number all year.