Game 73 Preview: Jackets Make Rare Visit to New Jersey
The Jackets will play at the new Prudential Center for the first time tonight, as they pay a visit to the Devils. The Jackets are playing out the string, while the Devils are battling with division rivals the Pittsburgh Penguins for top spot in the Atlantic.
This game has the makings of a snooze-fest. It's no secret the Devils are one of, if not the most boring team to watch in the NHL. That's with the electrifying Ilya Kovalchuk in the lineup. I just can't see him re-signing there after this season. That said, they are a good team. They play air-tight and have the scoring to get by. Parise is a great talent- he will be the face of the team when Marty calls it a career.
No major lineup changes tonight, outside of the addition of Grant Clitsome from Syracuse. He'll likely slide into the lineup beside Anton Stralman, and will push Paetsch to the press box.
Fearless Prediction: Mason puts on a good show while facing his boyhood idol Marty Brodeur.
Game Time: 7:00pm ET
Opponent's Blog: In Lou We Trust
Game Page: Blue Jackets vs Devils coverage
TSN Preview: Blue Jackets vs Devils preview
TV: FSN
Radio: WBNS-AM (1460); WWCD-FM (101.1)
More after the jump...
From the Columbus Dispatch:
Interim coach Claude Noel said the Blue Jackets gave their best effort under him in Saturday's 1-0 overtime loss in Nashville. New Jersey is trying to catch Pittsburgh for the Atlantic Division lead and secure a No.2 overall seeding in the East. The Devils are 7-2-1 in their past 10 home games. They beat the Jackets 2-1 last season in Nationwide Arena.
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
| Kristian Huselius | Antoine Vermette | Rick Nash |
| R.J. Umberger | Derick Brassard | Jakub Voracek |
| Andrew Murray | Samuel Pahlsson | Chris Clark |
| Derek Dorsett | Michael Blunden | Jared Boll |
| Fedor Tyutin | Marc Methot |
| Mike Commodore | Kris Russell |
| Grant Clitsome | Anton Stralman |
| Steve Mason |
| Mathieu Garon |
| EXTRA: Nathan Paetsch |
| INJURED/SICK: Derek MacKenzie, Jan Hejda, Rostislav Klesla |
| Zach Parise | Travis Zajac | Jamie Langenbrunner |
| Ilya Kovalchuk | Patrick Elias | Brian Rolston |
| Dainius Zubrus | Rob Niedermayer | David Clarkson |
| P.L. Letourneau-Leblond | Dean McAmmond | Rod Pelley |
| Bryce Salvador | Paul Martin |
| MIke Mottau | Colin White |
| Andy Greene | Martin Skoula |
| Martin Brodeur |
| Yann Danis |