CBJ vs. Maple Leafs Preview
Toronto comes into Columbus having lost 3 of their last four games, with their only win coming against the Jackets on December 23rd. Columbus meanwhile, blew yet another third-period lead on Wednesday to the New Jersey Devils.
The Leafs score a ton of goals and have a lethal power play, nothing has changed since the two teams played last.
Toronto is 3rd in the Atlantic, 6th in the East, and 12th in the league.
Three Keys
- Try to contain Matthews. We will keep saying this until we're blue in the face. Matthews has the NHL lead in goals with 28. He's taken 134 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 has 4 goals and 6 points against the Jackets this season, so the answer is no.
- 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.
- Someone needs to take Zach Werenski's spot. Werenski leads the team with assists and points, so his going down to injury is a major blow to this team. He's a playmaker on defense that will be sorely missed. Someone needs to step up and be that guy. Severson? Provorov? Jiricek?
Series History
- Columbus is 7-11-0 at NWA all-time and 18-19-1 overall.
- Toronto has won five of the last six games in Columbus.
- The road team has won both games this season and is 8-2-1 in the last 11.
Who to watch for Toronto
- Mitch Marner has 24 points in 18 games vs. Columbus in his career.
- Auston Matthews has 17 points in his last 8 games. He's second on his team in points and leads the NHL in goals with 28.
- William Nylander leads the team with 46 points with 15 of those being on the power play.
- Ilya Samsonov is 5-2-5 with a .871 save %.
Player Notes
- Johnny Gaudreau has 18 points in 26 games vs. the Leafs.
- Kent Johnson has 6 points in 5 career games vs. the Leafs.
- David Jiricek has 2 points in his first 2 games against Toronto.
Injuries
- Jack Roslovic (fractured ankle) is on Injured Reserve on Nov. 13 (4-to-6 Weeks); 21 games
- Adam Boqvist (shoulder strain) is on Injured Reserve retroactive to Dec. 5 (Approx. 4 Weeks); 9 games
- Boone Jenner (fractured jaw) is on Injured Reserve retroactive to Dec. 9 (Approx. 6 Weeks); 8 games
- Patrik Laine (clavicle fracture) (Approx. 6 Weeks); 5 games
- Nick Blankenburg (upper body); 3 games
- Sean Kuraly (abdominal injury) day-to-day; 1 game
- Zach Werenski (lower body) is week-to-week; 1 game
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 125
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 105.7 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.