CBJ vs. Kings Preview
The Jackets welcome the "Kings of the road" into Nationwide Arena.
The LA Kings are very good, and even better on the road, so stopping them is going to be a tough task. But the Columbus Blue Jackets are going to have to buckle down and get it down. They've beaten some really good teams in the last couple of weeks and this will be yet another test for the young Jackets.
Pierre-Luc Dubois and the Kings are going to want to come in and tie the record for most wins on the road to start a season. The Kings are scoring 4.2 goals a game over their last five away games, while the Jackets are averaging 4 goals a game at home over the last four games. This could be a slug-fest.
Three Keys
- The Kings Are Rude House Guests. The Los Angeles Kings are 9-0 on the road this season. The Kings are one win away from tying the record for most road wins to start a season. The 2006-07 Buffalo Sabres set the record with 10. They're currently tied with the 2009-10 New Jersey Devils. Kick them out of Nationwide just short of the record.
- Stay Hot At Home. The CBJ have won 3 of the last 4 games at home. They've played well in front of the CBJ faithful as of late and are going to need to continue to play that way to beat LA.
- Jenner Needs to Continue to Lead by Example. Captain Boone Jenner leads the Jackets with 13 goals. He also leads the team with 73 shots, 3 power-play goals, and has a faceoff % of 55.9%. He is the leader and MVP of this team.
Series History
- Columbus is 17-11-4 at home all-time vs. LA and 27-31-7 in 65 all-time games.
- The Jackets are 4-2-1 in the last 7 games vs. the Kings.
- The CBJ are 3-0-1 in the last four games at home vs. LA.
Who to watch for LA
- Adrian Kempe has 8 goals and 22 points.
- Young Quinton Byfield has 6 goals and 18 points.
- Anze Kopitar has 10 goals and 20 points.
- Former Jacket Vladislav Gavrikov has 6 points.
- Goalie Cam Talbot is 11-4-1 and his backup Phoenix Copley is 3-0-2.
Player Notes
- Johnny Gaudreau has 34 points in 30 career games against the Kings.
- Patrik Laine has 10 points in 15 career games vs. LA.
- Zach Werenski has 6 points in 10 games against the Kings.
- Ivan Provorov has 7 points in 12 games vs. LA.
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.