Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Kings (Game #57) – Every Point Matters

Los Angeles Kings (31-22-3, 65pts) vs.
Columbus Blue Jackets (28-23-5, 61pts)
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
7:00 PM EST
TV: FSNOH / Radio: WBNS 97.1 FM

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)
WFNY Tickets

The Jackets have had a few days off after their stretch of six games in 10 days (5-1!). What’s their reward, the other hottest team in the NHL (San Jose being the hottest). The Kings, after a dreadful slide that took them down to the depths of the conference standings, have points in nine straight games (7-0-2) and are one of the teams Columbus needs to catch in the standings. LA is in the midst of an insane 10-game road trip, as they pay a visit to all of the Eastern Conference teams they have to play on the road. Neither team has played since Sunday.

Projected Lineups

Los Angeles Kings:

Columbus Blue Jackets:

Team Rankings
Scoring:
LAK – 2.68 gpg (18th NHL)
CBJ – 2.64 gpg (21st NHL)

Defense:
LAK – 2.34 gapg (3rd NHL)
CBJ – 2.96 gapg (21st NHL)

Power Play:
LAK – 17.0% (20th NHL)
CBJ – 13.6% (28th NHL)

Penalty Kill:
LAK – 84.0% (8th NHL)
CBJ – 80.2% (22nd NHL)

Season Matchups
This is the third of four matchups on the season:

1. 11/17/10 – Columbus 5 @ LA 3 – recap
2. 01/08/11 – Columbus 4 @ LA 6 – (box) – Highlights
3. 02/16/11 – LA @ Columbus – 7:00 PM EST
4. 03/11/11 – LA @ Columbus – 7:00 PM EST

Game Notes

LA has been hot, with 16 points in their last nine games, including zero games lost in regulation. They’re coming off of two straight wins, beating the Captiols 4-1 on Saturday and the East-leading Flyers 1-0 on Sunday, both games on the road. Columbus and LA have split their first two meetings, both out West. Columbus gets this one and another game in March at home against the Kings.

The Jackets haven’t been slouches of late themselves, riding a 8-3-2 streak dating back to before the All Star break. The Jackets have been doing it with defense and timely scoring, as during their 13-game run they’ve allowed just 12 goals in the eight games they’ve won. LA doesn’t score at an insane clip like some of the other teams Columbus has been playing, but they also play a tight defensive game.

Another key to the Jackets’ success has been the recent play of Steve Mason. He’s won 10 of his last 15 starts, and his numbers have been steadily improving over the last month. He was brilliant when he had to be on Sunday in Dallas, though word out of Jackets practice is that Mason has been battling bronchitis in addition to a sore groin. He is expected to start tonight having had two days to rest up. UPDATE: The Dispatch is reporting that Mathieu Garon will get the start tonight in place of Mason.

Lastly, Columbus has been getting steady production from its top line, as we documented yesterday in the 5-Hole column. Rick Nash, Derick Brassard, and Jakub Voracek have been humming along, with each player hanging around point-per-game status over the past 15 to 20 games. The chemistry has been there, and Rick Nash also deserves a ton of credit for making the other two guys better. This line will have to show up big tonight if the Jackets want to get a win.

Mainly, though, they just need to bring the effort they’ve been bringing over these past 13 games. Consistent, physical hockey that wears down the opponent has been their MO, and that needs to continue tonight against an LA team that is playing very, very well right now.

Next Game For The Jackets
Friday, February 18, 2011
8:00 PM EST
Columbus Blue Jackets at Chicago Blackhawks