Columbus Blue Jackets (57 pts) vs. Detroit Red Wings (74 pts) Game Preview
Columbus Blue Jackets (57 pts) vs. Detroit Red Wings (74 pts) Game Preview
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports - Columbus Blue Jackets (57 pts) vs. Detroit Red Wings (74 pts) Game PreviewThe Blue Jackets are in Detroit tonight to face a slumping Red Wings team. Detroit is 2-8-0 in their last 10, have lost 8 of 9, and are 1-7 in March.
The Jackets have won two of the last three at Little Caesars Arena, but Detroit has won four of the last five games in the series. The Red Wings have a few Jacket killers, but one might not play. Dylan Larkin hasn't played since March 2nd and could return any day. In typical CBJ fashion, Larkin will probably return tonight and punish the Blue Jackets. Patrick Kane is probably the biggest Columbus killer of them all. He has 78 career points against the Jackets in 60 games. Most of those came as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, where he owned them for almost a decade when the two teams were in the old Central Division.
The Red Wings currently sit 5th in the Atlantic, 8th in the East, and 18th in the NHL. They also sit in the second wildcard spot despite losing 8 of 9.
Series History vs. The Red Wings
- Columbus is 20-28-6 all-time in Detroit, and 46-51-14 in all meetings.
- The Jackets are 13-5-2 in the last 20 games in Detroit.
- The Blue Jackets are 27-12-3 against the Wings since the start of the 2012 season.
Who To Watch For The Red Wings
- Patrik Kane has 14 goals and 21 points this season. He also has 78 points in 60 games against the Jackets.
- Lucas Raymond has 22 goals and 57 points this season.
- Shayne Gostisbehere has 35 assists and 45 points.
- Goalie Alex Lyon is 18-15-2 with a save % of .903.
- Goalie James Reimer is 7-7-2 with a save % of .906.
CBJ Player Notes vs. The Red Wings
- Johnny Gaudreau has 22 points in 18 games.
- Zach Werenski has 12 points in 21 games.
- Boone Jenner has 24 points in 32 games.
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 (19 games)
- Kent Johnson (shoulder injury on Feb. 28); out the rest of the season (10 games)
- Justin Danforth (concussion on Mar. 7); out indefinitely (5 games)
- Yegor Chinakhov (upper-body injury on Mar. 12); is day-to-day (3 games)
- Sean Kuraly (lower-body injury on Mar. 12); is week-to-week (3 games)
- Adam Boqvist (upper-body injury on Mar. 14); out indefinitely (2 games)
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 225
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.