Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Vancouver Canucks Preview
Columbus will take on the Canucks again tonight for the second time in 13 days, this time in Vancouver.
Just like the last time these two teams played each other, Vancouver is hot. Although the Canucks lost their last game in OT to the St. Louis Blues, they haven't lost in regulation since January 4th, again to the St. Louis Blues. In January the Canucks are 9-1-3 and are 8-0-2 in their last 10. The CBJ beat them in a shootout on January 15th.
The Canucks have the 8th-ranked PP and the 15th-ranked PK. They're also 2nd in the league in goals scored and have given up the third-fewest goals against. Again, the Canucks are good.
Vancouver is currently 1st in the Pacific, 1st in the West, and 1st in the NHL.
Keys To The Game
- Slow Down The Stars. J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson, and Quinn Hughes are Vancouver's superstars and Columbus needs to find a way to slow them down. They all combined for 4 points in the last meeting. It's possible to stop them, I guess.
- Play Like They Did Against Edmonton and Calgary. The Blue Jackets played well against Edmonton even though they lost. They frustrated the Oilers for 2+ periods before falling apart in 55 seconds. The first period against Calgary was wacky, but again they had 2 periods of very good play. Put together a full 60 and they can beat Vancouver just like they did 2 weeks ago.
Series History vs. Vancouver
- Columbus is 11-16-5 all-time at Vancouver and 25-31-10 all-time.
- The CBJ are 5-2-1 in the last 8 games in Rogers Arena.
- The Jackets have won 6 of the last 8 games vs. Vancouver.
Who to watch for Vancouver
- J.T. Miller has 21 goals and 64 points this season.
- Elias Pettersson has 25 goals and 61 points.
- Brock Boeser has 27 goals and 48 points.
- Thatcher Demko 25-8-1 with a .922 save %.
- Casey DeSmith is 7-3-4 with a .911 save %.
CBJ Player Notes
- Johnny Gaudreau has 47 points in 44 games against Vancouver.
- Yegor Chinakhov has 3 points in 3 games.
- Elvis Merzlikins is 4-1 with a save % of .924 in 5 career games.
Injuries
- Patrik Laine (clavicle fracture) is on Injured Reserve retroactive to Dec. 14 (Approx. 6 Weeks); 15 games
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 175
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.