Columbus Blue Jackets (40 pts) vs. Seattle Kraken (50 pts) Preview
Columbus will be in Seattle tonight to take on the Kraken for the second time in 15 days.
Since the last time these two teams played, Seattle has cooled down a bit, going 1-4-1, and 5-4-1 in their last 10 games. Seattle was at the end of a 9-game win streak the last time they played the Jackets, so maybe the CBJ have them right where they want them. Since the streak ended, they're only scoring 2.33 goals a game in those 6 games. Conversely, the Jackets have scored 3.16 goals per game in the last 6. Scoring isn't the issue for the Blue Jackets, it's scoring enough to keep a lead even when the other team makes their push.
The Kraken currently sit 5th in the Pacific, 10th in the West, and 22nd in the NHL.
Keys To The Game
- Play Three Full Periods. The Blue Jackets blew another 3-goal lead going into the third period last night against Vancouver, to no one's surprise. Even if they don't play a full 60-minute game, at least be good in the third period and stop giving up multi-goal leads.
- Stop Being Nice. In the last two games the CBJ has played, a player has left the ice covered in blood and needing repairs, and both were the recipients of dirty hits. Luckily Jack Roslovic and Sean Kuraly seemed to be fine afterward, but they could've been hurt a lot worse than what they were. The Jackets don't throw hits hardly ever and are rarely hit. But someone on this team needs to step up and get physical with the other team. Hit Somebody!
Series History vs. Seattle
- Columbus is 1-1-0 in Seattle and 2-3 all-time
- Each team has swept the season series since Seattle came into the league, but Seattle has won 3 straight games.
Who to watch for Seattle
- Oliver Bjorkstrand has 13 goals and 38 points to lead the Kraken in scoring.
- Jared McCann has 19 goals and 33 points.
- Vince Dunn has 8 goals and 36 points. '
- Joey Daccord 14-8-9 with a save % of .920.
- Phillip Grubauer is 5-9-1 with a save % of .884.
CBJ Player Notes
- Johnny Gaudreau has 7 points in 7 career games.
- Ivan Provorov has 5 points in 5 career games.
- Damon Severson has 3 points in 5 games.
Injuries
- Patrik Laine (clavicle fracture) is on Injured Reserve retroactive to Dec. 14 (Approx. 6 Weeks); 18 games
- Adam Boqvist (upper body) is on Injured Reserve retroactive to Jan. 25 (At least through the All-Star break); 1 game
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 177
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.
More From THN Columbus
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.