Columbus Blue Jackets (42 pts) vs. Ottawa Senators (44 pts) Game Preview
The Ottawa Senators finally pulled "ahead" of the Blue Jackets in the standings to leave Columbus in sole possession of 4th place in the "Reverse Power Rankings" thanks to their current three game winning streak and going 6-2-2 in the last 10 games. Depending on which side of the tank argument you're on, this could be good and bad.
The Jackets are not doing so hot. They're 3-6-1 in their last 10 games and are 2-3 on the road in that span. Somehow, after starting off very hot, the CBJ PK has slipped from 3rd to 26th in the league. Losing Yegor Chinakhov for this game takes away one of their best players in all situations too.
The Senators are currently 8th in the Atlantic, 15th in the East, and 28th in the league.
Keys To The Game
- Relicate The Tampa Game. Many people will look at the Lightning game as just a 3-0 stomping, but I don't think it was that bad. Penalties and a huge lapse that gave Tampa a breakaway led to the goals, and yes that's bad, but generally the game was entertaining. Had they had a little more puck luck early in the game, they wouldn't have had to fight so hard at the end and scramble for goals. Vasilevskiy was stone cold and refused to give the Jackets anything until that first goal from Jenner.
- Beat The Old Friend. The Jackets should get to play Joonas Korpisalo. With Anton Forsberg on IR, there's no way Korpi lets them play Sogaard over him. The Jackets beat Korpisalo at NWA back in December and he's going to want revenge. Columbus needs to jump on them early.
Series History vs. Ottawa
- Columbus is 7-10-2 on the road, and 18-17-4 all-time in the series.
- The Jackets are 9-3-2 in the last 14 games.
- The Senators have won the last 2 played in Ottawa.
Who to watch for Ottawa
- Tim Stutzle has 11 goals and 47 points on the season.
- Brady Tkachuk has 22 goals and 41 points.
- Joonas Korpisalo is 13-16-2 on the season with an .890 SV%.
- Mads Sogaard is 1-1 with an .825 SV%.
CBJ Player Notes
- Johnny Gaudreau has 25 points in 27 career games vs. the Sens. He also has 12 points in his last 12 games in the series overall.
- Zach Werenski has 14 points in 14 games against Ottawa.
- Elvis Merzlikins is 2-2-1 with a .923 SV% in 7 career games. He also got the win against the Senators on December 1st.
Injuries
- Patrik Laine (clavicle fracture-Dec. 14; NHL Player Assistance Program-Jan. 28); 17 games
- Adam Fantilli (calf laceration on Jan. 28); expected to miss 8 weeks; 2 games
- Yegor Chinakhov (upper body injury on Feb. 10)
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 181
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 FM 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.