The Columbus Blue Jackets will be smarting after a loss against the Los Angeles Kings, but they have an opportunity to make amends as they play the Anaheim Ducks in Anaheim. It will complete their road trip in California and hopefully set the tone for the next set of games they are to play.
The Ducks have been bleeding shots consistently and with it, their goaltender whether it is John Gibson or Ryan Miller in net, they have stood tall. The Blue Jackets will need to continue to pepper the Ducks with shots to control the game.
Too much passive play and too much tentativeness has bit Columbus in the butt; it doesn't need to be that way. They have the skill, but they need to play like they have nothing to lose. The return of Brandon Dubinsky should ensure the Blue Jackets play in a more straightforward manner.
PROJECTED LINES
Panarin – Dubois – Atkinson
Duclair – Wennberg – Bjorkstrand
Foligno – Jenner – Anderson
Nash – Dubinsky – Hannikainen
DEFENSEMEN
Werenski – Jones
Murray – Nutivaara
Harrington – Savard
GOALTENDER
Bobrovsky or Korpisalo
STORYLINES
- This is going to be the third game in four days, who is going to take the net? They haven't been shy about going to Joonas Korpisalo. Sergei Bobrovsky has taken over the net for now, but they have enjoyed Korpisalo's play. This feels like a game a backup should be playing in.
- How the Blue Jackets decide to play this game should say a lot about them. A lot was made of the bounce-back ability of this team by captain Nick Foligno. Are they going to step up? The Ducks are a beatable opponent, and they need to be taken seriously. If they lose this one, what is the makeup of the Blue Jackets?
