CBJ vs. Maple Leafs Preview
The Blue Jackets have had three days off to prepare for the Toronto Maple Leafs. They had a well-deserved rest after Sunday's game at home.
Toronto will welcome the CBJ into Scotiabank Arena tonight at 7 p.m. The Leafs come into this game having won three of their last four games. In those four games, the Leafs are averaging 4.5 goals a game, while only giving up 2.5. They've also gained points in 9 of their last 10 games, so they're hot. Auston Matthews and William Nylander are pacing the team in points and are very hard to stop at this point. The Jackets will be without Erik Gudbranson, who is serving his one-game suspension for giving Nick Cousins the business last Sunday.
The Maple Leafs are currently 3rd in the Atlantic Division, 4th in the East, and 8th in the NHL.
Three Keys
- Try to contain Matthews. Matthews is tied for the NHL lead in goals with 21. He's taken 111 shots this season, and will probably take 6-8 shots in this one. It's not impossible to stop him, but it's also not an easy task. Do the Jackets have anyone who can keep up with him?
- Don't over-commit to any one player. If you pay too much attention to Matthews, Nylander will sink you. If you pay too much attention to Nylander, Matthews will bury you. Don't pay enough attention to either, and they'll make you pay. The same applies to Marner and Tavares. Pick your poison.
- Get shots on Samsonov. Samsonov's numbers aren't the best. And Toronto gives up the 8th most shots per game in the league at 32.2. Take shots and take them often, from everywhere. The Jackets have a bad habit of not taking enough shots, or not taking quality shots. Why not just pump shots at the goalie and hope for a little puck luck?
Series History
- The Jackets are 10-8-1 all-time in Toronto, and 17-18-1 in the series.
- The road team is 6-2-1 in the last 9 games of this series.
- The CBJ have won 10 of the last 15 games in Toronto
Who to watch for Toronto
- William Nylander has 13 goals and 36 points this season. Including 13 power-play points.
- Auston Matthews has 21 goals and 32 points. He has 11 power-play points.
- Mitch Marner has 11 goals and 29 points.
- Goalie Ilya Samsonov is 5-1-4 on the season, with a GAA of 3.29 and a save % of .884. Martin Jones started the last game for Toronto on Tuesday, so the assumed starter is Samsonov.
Player Notes
- Johnny Gaudreau has 16 points in 24 games against the Leafs.
- Kent Johnson has 3 points in 3 games.
- Zach Werenski has 10 points in 12 games vs. Toronto.
- Patrik Laine has 10 points in 12 games.
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.