The Jackets have had a chance to absorb the lessons from the last time these two teams met; you have to play 60 minutes was the biggest one. After controlling the first 20 minutes, LA went on to pound the Jackets into submission for the final 40 last Tuesday night.
Columbus came back to play about 45-50 good minutes against Calgary–and found a way to lose. They came back from that to play 60 great minutes against Edmonton–and found a way to lose. They came back from THAT to play 60 insanely awesome minutes against San Jose–and were rewarded.
The Kings have been an enigma wrapped in a riddle wrapped in defensive injuries and shoddy goaltending. They lost three of five on their recently-completed road trip, with one win coming at the hands of these same Jackets. However, the other win was in the finale against St. Louis, in which the Kings were able to put the stomach-punch-game against Detroit behind them and come out with a convincing win behind the goaltending of Jonathan Bernier.
So, which teams show up tonight? Neither has played since Monday, and both are looking to turn their last game into a trend.