Folks, the Blue Jackets are (red) hot.
After stomping the Florida Panthers on Thursday night, their season-high win streak is at 10 games and they're eight points clear of ninth place (currently occupied by Florida). They'll seek an 11th straight win tonight, when they face the surging St. Louis Blues on home ice at Nationwide Arena.
MATCHUP:
St. Louis Blues at Columbus Blue Jackets
Nationwide Arena, 7:00 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Ohio
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
- Remember the trade deadline, when the Blues effectively pulled the chute and traded Paul Stastny? They had lost six straight games, fallen out of a playoff spot, and were resigned to their fate. But! All's not lost; they've used a bit of a run here – including three straight wins – to pull within three points of eighth place with a game in hand.
- The Blue Jackets created some separation with Thursday's win over Florida, but it's not exactly a comfortable position. If the standings held, they'd be in for yet another first-round clash with the Pittsburgh Penguins. A drop to the second wild card means a likely date with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Points and positioning are crucial as the schedule winds down.
- The schedule isn't favoring either of these teams entering tonight. The Blue Jackets are playing their fourth game in six days, while the Blues come into Columbus having played last night at home.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
BLUES
40-28-5 (5th in Central Division)
PP: 15.8% (29th) / PK: 80.2% (17th)
5v5 Corsi: 52.7% (9th)
BLUE JACKETS
42-28-5 (3rd in Metropolitan Division)
PP: 15.5% (30th) / PK: 77.4% (25th)
5v5 Corsi: 52.8% (8th)
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