In the words of the terrible popular(?) rock band Staind, "It's been a while."
The Blue Jackets haven't played in five days, thanks to the NHL All-Star break, and tonight will suit up for just the fourth time in the last 18 nights. Tonight, they'll play the Central Division's Minnesota Wild in a rematch of the "Unsustaina-bowl" from last year. Both teams come into tonight's matchup with 57 points in 49 games, each in the thick of immensely difficult divisions.
As rowdy as the Metropolitan Division has been this year, the Central has been downright bonkers. The Jackets' 57 points are good enough for second place in the Metro – a strong, deep division from top to bottom – but the Wild are sitting in second to last in the Central. Four of the league's nine 60-point teams reside in the Wild's division, and the last place team is a still-good Blackhawks squad.
MATCHUP:
Blue Jackets vs Minnesota Wild
Nationwide Arena, 7:00 PM
TV: FOX Sports Ohio
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
- The Wild have spent the last few years as a defensively stout team with solid (if inconsistent) goaltending, with one of the league's deepest groups of blueliners. This year's been a bit of a different story, as both goalies, including the normally-stellar Devan Dubnyk, have been just mediocre. In fact, they've given up the most goals of any team in their division, with 140 so far.
- That defensive group still has some big names – most notably, Ryan Suter. They lost Marco Scandella this offseason, but their top four still has names like Jonas Brodin, Matt Dumba and Jared Spurgeon, an undersized, underrated defenseman. If the Jackets are going to be successful, the easiest path will be through the Wild's third pairing.
- The Wild also sport a group of deep forwards, but with no true superstars. Sure, Eric Staal has been great this year, with 43 points in 49 games, but guys like Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise have seen better days. Mikael Granlund could also present problems for the Jackets, playing on Koivu's wing.
- Obligatory reference to Wild fourth-line winger Marcus Foligno, brother of Blue Jackets captain Nick.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
WILD
26-18-5 / 6th in Central Division
PP: 19.9% (16th) / PK: 82.3% (10th)
5v5 Corsi: 46.27% (30th)
BLUE JACKETS
27-19-3 / 2nd in Metropolitan Division
PP: 13.7% (31st) / PK: 77.5% (26th)
5v5 Corsi: 50.91% (13th)
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