Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Red Wings (Game 4)

7. Columbus Blue Jackets vs.
2. Detroit Red Wings
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Thursday, April 23, 2009
7:00 PM EDT
TV: FSOhio (Columbus) / Versus
Radio: WWCD(fm)/WBNS(am)

Detroit leads, 3-0

(Dispatch Preview / SportsDirect Preview)

It’s often said that the most dangerous team in sports is the team with nothing to lose. Though the Jackets have shown nothing in the first three games that would indicate any result other than a series-sweep-clinching win tonight by the Red Wings, I feel it’s important to note that the Jackets officially now have nothing left to lose.  “I think on an individual level you get up for it because you have pride,” defenseman Mike Commodore said. “I want to go out and play well. We’ve had a good season, and I don’t want it to end like this. But even more is the unique situation in this city right now. I would love nothing more than to win a game in front of the fans here, give them something to cheer about. It would be very nice to win tonight.” Tell me about it, Mike.

Projected Lineups
Detroit Red Wings:

Columbus Blue Jackets:

Series Results
1. Columbus 1 at Detroit 4 [recap]
2. Columbus 0 at Detroit 4 [box]
3. Detroit 4 at Columbus 1 [recap]

Game Notes
No major lineup changes look to be in store tonight on the “official” projected lineup, but some changes were made during practice: Kristian Huselius was notably absent from the first line (and on the third), and Jan Hejda—recovering from an ankle issue from blocking a shot on Tuesday—didn’t practice and is questionable tonight. The revamped lineup from Tuesday night had probably the best overall game in the series for Columbus. Which, of course, isn’t saying much; the Jackets still only managed one goal against Chris Osgood. Speaking of the Wings’ goalie, it’s important to note that his save percentage during the regular season was .887. During the playoffs? Well, it’s .974, naturally. And, despite the dearth of offense, it doesn’t appear that potential aces-in-the-hole Derick Brassard (cleared for full-contact practice) and Nikita Filatov will not be playing tonight. “This is a hockey club that has put its heart and soul into everything, and I don’t think it would look good on me or the coaching staff if we bailed on people who have given us everything all season,” Hitchcock said. “Tryouts for next season will be in September.” How positively Wedge-ian!

The Blue Jackets haven’t really close to beating the Red Wings yet in the series; they hung around for 30 minutes in game 1, but once Detroit flexed their muscles in zooming to a 3-1 lead later in that second period of Game 1, they really haven’t looked back. They’ve played total team defense against the Jackets’ offensive playmakers (using that term loosely), and like a giant Ice-Cube-chomping anaconda, they’ve systematically smothered the Jackets into repeated mistakes, cashing in on seemingly every single one. Poor, poor J-Lo.

The crowd promises to be electric again at the outset, as most Jackets fans know that this is the swan song for their team on home ice for this season. What the Jackets need to do to keep them raucous is to do two things they’ve not yet been able to do: score first, and hold a lead. I can testify that the crowd was ready for the start of Game 3, but that the Detroit goal 67 seconds into the contest dampened it. The crowd came back, and was solid for most of the rest of the period, but when Dan Cleary made it 2-0 with just about 45 seconds left in the first, most of the air was sucked out of the building.

Getting ahead would do two things for the Jackets and their fans: 1) Give the fans a reason to keep cheering and keep the pressure on Detroit, and 2) by extension allow the Jackets players to feed off the crowd energy. A bonus would be to keep the Detroit boneheads from throwing marine life onto our ice, as well. I mean, they claim it’s not meant with disrespect, but seriously. Do that crap in your home building.

Some things the Jackets did well on Tuesday included having better success in the faceoff circle (55.2% in Game 3), getting more shots on goal (outshot Detroit 32-26 in Game 3), and getting some checks in (outhit Detroit 38-30 in Game 3). But, they need to build on those stats and actually capitalize. They need a lead. They need to score first. They need to tilt the ice in their favor, and limit Detroit’s scoring chances like they did in the first half of Game 1.

Most importantly, as Light the Lamp said today: “At this point the Jackets can fold their tents and start polishing their clubs or they can play like it’s the 7th game of the Stanley Cup finals and save some face. It’s up to them… they can come out and play like its over or they can dig down and fight for a chance to die another day.”

From The Outside Looking In
Winging It In Motown
MLive.com
Detroit Free Press
RockKing

Remaining Series Schedule
Game 5* – Saturday, April 25, 6:00 PM EDT – @Detroit
Game 6* – Monday, April 27, time TBA – @Columbus
Game 7* – Wednesday, April 29, time TBA – @Detroit

(*if necessary)