The Columbus Blue Jackets need wins in the worst way. Making the playoffs are all well and good but making it while facing off against one of the top teams in the league means they won't be in it long. They need to work on their positioning, and this game against the Carolina Hurricanes is a prime opportunity for them to move up in the standings.
Carolina for all of their celebrations and press are genuinely a good team. They can suffocate you defensively and control the game. They have always needed goaltending, and they are finally starting to get it. Solving them is going to be a tough task for the Blue Jackets.
LOWDOWN
Matchup: Columbus Blue Jackets (39-28-3) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (38-24-7)
TV: Fox Sports Ohio
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
FORWARDS
Panarin - Dubois - Atkinson
Dzingel - Duchene - Anderson
Foligno - Jenner - Nash
Dubinsky - Wennberg - Bjorkstrand
DEFENSEMEN
Werenski - Jones
Nutivaara - Savard
Harrington - McQuaid
GOALTENDERS
Bobrovsky/Korpisalo
Storylines
- Sergei Bobrovsky is getting worked consistently by the Blue Jackets but are they leaving enough in the tank for later on in the season? Wasn't the point of getting a third goalie to let Bobrovsky rest?
- Boone Jenner just scored a hat trick after being out with illness. Will he continue his strong play or will another player step up to be the player of the game. They have needed depth players to step up in the worst way, will they get it down the stretch?
- It is becoming increasingly obvious that if the Blue Jackets want to win, they need to score first. A fast start means a win for Columbus. The Hurricanes are going to stifle and try to keep the Blue Jackets on the edge and getting in the dirty spots will be important.
