CBJ vs. Bruins Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets return home after losing in Buffalo on Saturday night. They had a third-period lead and failed to keep it.
The first-place Bruins come into Columbus having won their last there games. In their last 10, the Bruins are 5-2-3 and are averaging around five goals a game in the last three. The Boston Bruins are an outstanding team, to say the least. Their PP is ranked 4th, the PK is 2nd, and they're very stingy at giving up goals, as they're ranked 3rd. This is going to be a very tough match-up for the short-handed Blue Jackets.
The Bruins currently sit 1st in the Atlantic, 2nd in the East, and 2nd in the NHL.
Three Keys
- Don't Take Penalties. The once high-powered CBJ PK has faltered of late and slipped from the top 3 to 13, so taking penalties against the #4 power play wouldn't be wise. The Jackets are #10 in the fewest penalty minutes given up.
- Play Inspired At Home. The Jackets are missing a bunch of their best players, so they're fighting an uphill battle. If they can keep Boston from imposing their will and play fast, they have a chance to beat the Bruins.
- Fire The Cannon. The Blue Jackets are routinely outshot and have far fewer shot attempts than the teams they play. The law of averages says the more you do something, the more you can have success. So, shoot more, score more.
Series History
- Columbus is 9-7-5 at home vs. Boston.
- The Jackets are 5-2-2 in the last 9 against the Bruins at NWA.
Who to watch for Boston
- David Pastrnak has 22 goals and 50 points, including 22 power-play points.
- Brad Marchand has 13 goals and 33 points, with 18 power-play points.
- Charlie McAvoy has 3 goals and 23 points.
- Linus Ullmark is 11-5-2 with a .914 save %.
- Jeremy Swayman is 11-2-4 with a .928 save %. His last start was 12-31.
Player Notes
- Justin Danforth has a 4 games points streak.
- Adam Fantilli has a 4 game points streak and has scored in his last 2 games. He also is ranked 2nd among rookies in points.
- Johnny Gaudreau has 19 points in his last 21 games.
- David Jiricek is 4th among rookie defensemen with 9 points.
- Dmitri Voronkov has 19 points on the season and ranks 5th among rookies in points.
Injuries
- Adam Boqvist (shoulder strain) is on Injured Reserve retroactive to Dec. 5 (Approx. 4 Weeks); 10 games. Boqvist is skating and working on his return.
- Boone Jenner (fractured jaw) is on Injured Reserve retroactive to Dec. 9 (Approx. 6 Weeks); 9 games
- Patrik Laine (clavicle fracture) is on Injured Reserve retroactive to Dec. 14 (Approx. 6 Weeks); 6 games
- Nick Blankenburg (upper body) is on Injured Reserve retroactive to Dec. 19 (day-to-day); 4 games
- Sean Kuraly (abdominal injury) is on Injured Reserve retroactive to Dec. 23; 2 games. HC Vincent said on Monday that Kuraly will be out for around 2 weeks.
- Zach Werenski (ankle); is on Injured Reserve on Dec. 29 (week-to-week); 1 game
- Elvis Merzlikins (illness) (day-to-day); 1 game
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 138
How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on Bally Sports Ohio. As always, the legendary Jeff Rimer will be on the play-by-play. The radio broadcast will be on 97.1 THE FAN with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.
Join Jason Newland's Columbus Blue Jacket page on Bunches, a new app that connects sports fans. Also, you can watch a new YouTube game show about the Blue Jackets, Around the Fifth Line.