Columbus Blue Jackets (52 pts) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (62 pts) Game Preview
Columbus Blue Jackets (52 pts) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (62 pts) Game Preview
Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports - Columbus Blue Jackets (52 pts) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (62 pts) Game PreviewFans are convinced that Pittsburgh could be 0-78, with their last four games to play being against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Pittsburgh would crush Columbus in every game. The fact is Columbus is terrible against the Pens and has never been able to beat them consistently. But with Crosby and Malkin on the back nines of their careers, and Pittsburgh seemingly ready to tear it down and rebuild, might this be the time that the Jackets step up and play spoiler to a team just 10 points out of the playoffs? It all starts tonight as the teams will play each other three more times to end the season.
The stats for Pittsburgh are wild. They don't score as much anymore as they're currently 26th in the league. Their power play is 14.6%, which is good enough for 29th in the league, and that's only .1% better than Columbus. But, their PK is great, sitting at 82.2% and they're also 4th in the entire league in goals against. So what's the key to Columbus beating them tonight? Your guess is as good as mine in this one.
But the Columbus Blue Jackets have a secret weapon by the name of Alex Nylander. A former Penguin who has more points in 5 games as a Blue Jacket, than he did in his entire career as a Penguin.
The Penguins currently sit 7th in the Metro, 12th in the East, and 24th in the NHL.
Series History vs. The Penguins
- Columbus is 4-16-5 on the road vs. Pittsburgh, and 15-27-9 all-time.
- The Jackets are 0-8-5 in the last 13 games at PPG Paints Arena.
Who To Watch For The Penguins
- Sidney Crosby has 63 points in 59 games this season. He also has 20-37-57 in 39 career games against Columbus.
- Evgeni Malkin has 46 points in 59 games this season. He has a total of 43 points in 35 games against the CBJ.
- Tristan Jarry is 17-19-4 with a .910 save %.
- Ohioan Alex Nedeljkovic is 9-5-4 with a save % of .910. Nedeljkovic lost his last start and the Pens last game 6-1 against the Edmonton Oilers.
CBJ Player Notes vs. Penguins
- Johnny Gaudreau has 14 points in 19 games.
- Zach Werenski has 7 points in 15 games.
- Jack Roslovic has 6 points in 12 games against Pittsburgh.
Injuries
- Patrik Laine (clavicle fracture-Dec. 14; NHL Player Assistance Program-Jan. 28); 17 games (for injury)
- Adam Fantilli (calf laceration on Jan. 28); expected to miss 8 weeks; 12 games
- Kent Johnson IR- (upper-body injury on Feb. 28); out indefinitely; 3 games
- Elvis Merzlikins (upper-body); day-to-day; 1 game
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 196
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.
