The Jackets’ first round series against the Detroit Red Wings continues tonight, as the Jackets look to even the series up at a game apiece.
Game one was a learning experience for most of the players, and now that the shock and awe of being in the playoffs should be over, the team can focus its efforts on beating the Winged Wheel.
The Keys to tonight’s game:
– The team needs to come out strong- as they did in game one- and maintain the effort for the full sixty minutes. The midway point of the second period of game one was when the Wings started to dictate the play, the Jackets need to compete for the whole game.
– The top line of Nash, Huselius and Malhotra has to be a factor. Huselius has not scored in his last 18 playoff games, and that needs to change. Nash, the resident Wing-killer, needs to regain his scoring touch he showed against Detroit this season.
– Mason needs to be sharp. The Wings are obviously deep and talented at forward, and he will be seeing a lot of rubber.
– The second line of Umberger, Vermette and Voracek, which was the team’s most consistent line in game one, needs to build upon their efforts from Thursday.
This is a very important game, if the Jackets can get a victory tonight, they head home to Nationwide Arena for the next two games, with the momentum in their favor.
GO JACKETS!