CBJ vs. Maple Leafs Preview
The Jackets are home once again and take on the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight.
The Maples Leafs come into Columbus after having been beat down at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night, 9-3. Both Ilya Samsonov and Martin Jones played in that game and didn't play well. The Leafs have also lost their last two games, and are 5-2-3 in their last 10. Nothing has changed for the Leafs since the last time the two teams played one another. They still have a potent power play, which is ranked 5th, are scoring 3.57 goals a game, and have one of the best scorers in all of the NHL. It won't be easy.
The Leafs currently sit 2nd in the Atlantic, 6th in the East, and 12th in the NHL.
Three Keys
- Try to contain Matthews. Matthews is tied for the NHL lead in goals with 26. He's taken 126 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? He scored in rapid fashion against the CBJ in the last game they played.
- 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.
- Have a Holly Jolly Christmas. This will be the last game before Christmas, and it's a home game, so send the fans home with a win. This crowd should be very loud and fired up after the events that took place on Thursday. Toronto fans always send a large number of people to Columbus for these games, so it should be extra loud.
Series History
- With the win on December 14th, the Jackets record vs. The Leafs is now 18-18-1 all-time.
- Toronto has won 4 of the last 5 games at NWA.
- The road team is 7-2-1 in the 10 games in the series.
- Six of the last eight games have been decided by a single goal.
Who to watch for Toronto
- William Nylander has 15 goals and 42 points on the season.
- Auston Matthews has 26 goals and 38 points. His 26 goals leads the league.
- Mitch Marner has 13 goals and 34 points.
Player Notes
- Johnny Gaudreau has 17 points in 25 career games vs. Toronto. He has 21 points on the season.
- Kent Johnson has 6 points in four games vs. Toronto. He has 11 points on the season.
- Zach Werenski has 12 points in 13 games against Toronto. He leads the CBJ with 25 points on the season.
Injuries
- Jack Roslovic has a broken ankle and is expected to miss 6 weeks. (11/13)
- Damon Severson has an oblique injury and will miss 6 weeks. (11/21) - Severson is skating, and HC Pascal Vincent says he may play in one of the games before Christmas.
- Adam Boqvist will miss 4 weeks due to a shoulder strain. (12/6)
- Boone Jenner has a broken jaw and will be gone for 6 weeks. (12/9)
- Patrik Laine broke his collarbone and will be out for 6 Weeks. (12/14)
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 Dylan Tyrer 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.