Game Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Predators (Game #23) – Frustration Ventilation

Nashville Predators (10-8-5, 25pts) vs.
Columbus Blue Jackets (14-8-0, 28pts)
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
7:00 PM EST
TV: FSN-OH / WBNS (97.1 fm)

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The Jackets get back on the ice tonight after two straight losses to Detroit. As if they needed more motivation, their long-time nemesis and Central Division foe Nashville Predators come calling for the second time in nine days. It’s time for the Jackets to take out some frustration. Last Monday they were able to effectively shut down the Preds en route to a Steve Mason shutout, and the Predators have been scuffling a bit over their last five games (1-2-2). If the Jackets play like they did for the most part against Detroit, I think they’ll see that they’re still a good team; Detroit’s just better. Nashville—on paper, at least—is not. Oh, and if you’re looking for some last minute tickets, click the WFNY Tickets link above to get ’em!

Projected Lineups
Nashville Predators:

Columbus Blue Jackets:

Team Rankings
Scoring:
NSH – 2.22 gpg (t27th NHL)
CBJ – 2.77 gpg (15th NHL)

Defense:
NSH – 2.52 gapg (7th NHL)
CBJ – 2.41 gapg (5th NHL)

Power Play:
NSH – 12.5% (27th NHL)
CBJ – 11.0% (28th NHL)

Penalty Kill:
NSH – 83.3% (t12th NHL)
CBJ – 85.2% (7th NHL)

Season Matchups
This is the second of six matchups against Nashville:

11/22/10 – Nashville 0 @ Columbus 2 – recap
12/01/10 – Nashville @ Columbus – 7:00 PM EST
01/02/11 – Columbus @ Nashville – 6:00 PM EST
02/22/11 – Nashville @ Columbus – 7:00 PM EST
02/27/11 – Columbus @ Nashville – 3:00 PM EST
04/08/11 – Columbus @ Nashville – 8:00 PM EDT

Game Notes

The Jackets have had some time off to regroup after the two losses to Detroit. I believe that this game will tell us a lot about the moxie of this Jackets team. If their mindset is right, they will come out with a chip on their shoulder and lay the smack down again on the Preds. Nashville has been struggling to score, and the Jackets—when they’re right and focused—are tough to score on. Steve Mason will start tonight for Columbus; you may recall he shut out the Preds last Monday.

Nashville’s main scoring threat of late has been their Power Play, which has jumped more than two percent in their last five games; and that includes the shut out against Columbus in which they obviously didn’t convert. The Jackets did a better job against Detroit—and overall, of late, have been much better—with not taking penalties. Their PK has been solid, but it’s easier for it to be solid when you’re not killing six or seven penalties a night.

Really, there’s not a ton to talk about relative to strategy with this game, so let’s instead focus on two things, both roster-related. First and foremost, Jackets winger Ethan Moreau will be back on the ice for the first time since breaking his hand six weeks ago. He will slot in back on the third line with Sammy Pahlsson and Chris Clark. So, who gets bumped? That’s point #2. It looks like Nikita Filatov will be a healthy scratch for the second straight game. This will mark the third out of four that he’s missed if he’s a scratch, as he was scratched on Sunday in Detroit, and missed Wednesday’s game against the Islanders for disciplinary reasons. He did play on Friday, but took only one shift in the third period. He and Andrew Murray will probably sit tonight.

To me, this game will come down to one thing: how ticked off are the Jackets from losing these last two games? If they come out and vent some frustration on the Predators, I could see them winning this game going away. If their confidence is a bit wounded from the two losses, Nashville is still a team that can make them pay.

From The Outside Looking In
On The Forecheck
Preds on the Glass
Predlines

Next Game For The Jackets
Friday, December 3, 2010
7:30 PM EST
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Buffalo Sabres