Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Calgary Flames Preview
Calgary visited Nationwide Arena way back on October 20th, with the Jackets winning 3-1. As time was running out, Patrik Laine was targeted by the Flames Rasmus Andersson with a nasty hit. A hit that took Laine out for a few weeks with a concussion. Erik Gudbranson came flying in and jumped on Andersson. The game ended in chaos.
Now the Jackets are in Calgary and will try to win the season series. Rasmus Andersson will be playing for Calgary and has 8 points in his last 10 games. And in a strange bit of fate, Patrik Laine is on IR again and won't play against the Flames to try for payback. But will Erik Gudbranson remember?
The Flames come into this game 5-5 in their last 10 games and losers of three straight. The Jackets have lost two straight and are 3-5-2 in their last 10.
The Flames currently sit 6th in the Pacific Division, 12th in the West, and 24th in the NHL.
Three Keys
- Replicate The Edmonton Game. The Blue Jackets actually played a very good game against the Oilers minus a 55-second collapse. They had a pretty ferocious forecheck that the Oilers couldn't quite figure out until late in the game. The goaltending was good, the defense was decent, but they just ran into a buzzsaw in Skinner and the Oilers. If they play like that again tonight, they will beat the Flames.
- They Must Get Over The Third Period Woes. The Jackets are downright terrible in the third period, and it's been that way all season. They've given up 70+ third-period goals, and are a -36 in the third as well. I would say they need to be up 3 goals or more going into the third to win, but history has shown us that doesn't even matter.
- Welcome Back, Zach! Zach Werenski is going to give it a go after missing the last 10 games due to an ankle injury. Werenski has 1 goal and 24 assists on the season and is second on the team in points. Usually, when he comes back from injury, he comes back flying, so I would expect him to do the same tonight.
Series History vs. Calgary
- Columbus is 14-14-4 all-time in Calgary, and 34-24-8 in 66 games.
- The Jackets are 2-0-1 in the last three games.
- The Blue Jackets are 8-2-2 in the last 12 games but are 0-2-2 in the last 4 in Calgary.
- Columbus has killed off 18 straight power plays against the Flames.
Who to watch for Calgary
- Blake Coleman has 20 goals and 39 points this season.
- Nazem Kadri has 16 goals and 38 points.
- Jacob Markstrom is 13-12-2 with a save % of .910.
- Daniel Vladar is 7-7-2 with a .882 save %.
CBJ Player Notes
- Johnny Gaudreau has 2 points in 3 career games vs. the Flames.
- Zach Werenski has 8 points in 11 games vs. Calgary.
- Justin Danforth had 2 points in his only game played against the Flames earlier this season.
Injuries
- Patrik Laine (clavicle fracture) is on Injured Reserve retroactive to Dec. 14 (Approx. 6 Weeks); 15 games
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 174
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.