Four Lines Deep -- 11/21/09

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Nashville Predators - Sommet Center

Fox Sports Ohio; 8 p.m. (EST)

Predators forward Jordin Tootoo, pictured left, is usually close to the action when they meet the Jackets.

If you live in Ohio - or have ever lived in the state north of Ohio - then you are well aware that this day is all about rivalries. R.J. Umberger knows all about it. Enough said. Regardless, this is an important game for the Jackets for a wide range of reasons. After a slow start, Nashville is 8-2 in the last 10 games. They have been competing well and recently beat the conference-leading San Jose Sharks and the New Jersey Devils. Clearly, they can compete with the league's best teams right now, and have won four in a row.

Saturday's tilt marks the second Central Division matchup thus far for the Jackets -- surely, they are hoping for a better result than the 9-1 drubbing they suffered at the hands (and feet, and elbows) of Detroit on November 11. It won't take much to get the Jackets motivated to win this game, but one has to wonder if they can bounce back with an appropriate level of energy after losing Dorsett to injury in Dallas and having an extremely physical game only two nights previous.


The Predators' powerplay has been fairly atrocious in the first quarter of the season -- not a tremendous surprise given their lack of goal scoring in even play. They are dead last in the league, averaging only 2.2 goals per game. However, the Jackets' defense and PK has been so inconsistent this year, that they can hardly afford to discount any team's powerplay efficacy. As proof, the Jackets are allowing 3.3 goals per game and currently rank 26th in the league in that category.  The Predators penalty kill is right in the middle (15th in league) at 80.6%.

First Line: Beat them at their own game.  Nashville has a great sense of continuity - due in no small part to the consistent presence of Barry Trotz on the bench. Much like the Jackets, Nashville puts a great deal of focus on the neutral zone trap and aggressive forechecking. No matter who takes the ice for the Predators, they stay true to their system, and for long stretches of time, have been more effective in that system than Columbus. That has to change - and the time is now. Columbus has size and grit in the lineup to counter Nashville's game plan -- and now has more firepower on the forward lines than its ever had, and that makes an opportunistic forecheck all the more deadly.   Nashville simply doesn't have the scoring in its lineup and that should allow the Jackets to pinch in from the points and take some chances. If the Jackets can rule the neutral zone, they should get two points on the road.

Second Line: Turn the Juice Loose.  Since his return from a brief injury rest, Huselius has been on fire. He's playing with passion, controlling the puck and looking to score. Jackets fans haven't seen this Huselius for awhile and he is managing the ice very effectively. Perhaps most impressively, he's been doing so in two very physical hockey games. He needs the puck on his stick - plain and simple.

Third Line: Hit everybody.  As Hitch mentioned in the post-game presser on Thursday evening, the Jackets are being mindful of their checking game again -- and it's paying big dividends. They have size and speed, and when those assets are combined with a commitment to punishing the other team, a lot of good things happen. The Jackets have to stay true to that commitment -- especially on the road. There is no doubt that Nashville will bring a physical presence to the game and the Jackets have to exceed it. The Predators powerplay isn't a tremendous threat (14.7%) and that should allow the Jackets to take some more liberties with physical play.

Fourth Line:  Support Mase. Sophomore slumps can still go away during the sophomore year. Mase has been playing really solid - with the notable exception of the Detroit massacre - and with Hejda and Commie now healthy and back in the lineup, he should be feeling much more confident. The Predators shouldn't generate more than 25-30 shots, and as long as the Jackets keep the shooting lanes free of screens and traffic, Mase should have another solid game. Building momentum and confidence for Mason is crucial for success on this road trip -- and certainly for the balance of the season.

Afternoon Scrum 11/20/09

Hockey headlines for the CBJ and from around the league. Mmmmm... hockey

Great win last night by the Fightin' CBJs. Read Pepper's game summary (below) for the details. For my part, I'll just say that I thought it was the best game the Jackets have played so far this season. 60 minutes of weighty performances by every player. Here's hoping Dorsett is alright. Let's get to the news!

• Dallas Stars F James Neal has been suspended two games for his hit on CBJ F Derek Dorsett last night. It was a dirty play and the suspension is warranted. The league, however, needs to reassess how many games they are suspending these players. Two games (or 2.4% of the regular season) should not be deemed adequate for the kind of disregard for player safety that Neal displayed last night. Maybe I am biased. Puck Daddy seems to think that Neal's defenders in Dallas are right in arguing that intent to injure was not part of the equation. You be the judge.


• Kristian Huselius has been named one of the 3 Stars of last night by the NHL. Juice put up 2 goals against the Stars. One goal was of the shorthanded variety, the other was a PP tally. Huselius has 15 points in 16 games.


• John Kreiser over at nhl.com has some interesting league numbers at the quarter-season mark. Mathieu Garon is mentioned.


• I've tried on more than one occasion in this space to express my thoughts about the NHLPA and the whole firing of Paul Kelly issue. John Buccigross over at the World Wide Leader has an excellent piece that succinctly (as much as possible) portrays how/why the situation happened, and what impact it will have on the union, the league and we fans in the future. I cannot recommend it enough.


• Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to express condolences to Chris Speilman, his 4 children, and their entire family as they morn the loss of Chris' wife Stefanie to cancer. Stefanie Spielman was a remarkable woman whose public fight with cancer inspired others to fight harder in their own battles, and raised awareness for Breast Cancer Research around the world. She will be missed. Please visit The Stefanie Spielman Fund to learn more about her courage and how you can help the fight.
  
  

Now THAT was Fun!

For those in Jacketland, there haven’t seemed to be many games where the CBJ have grabbed their opponent by the neck and squeezed for 60 straight minutes. That changed last night as the Blue Jackets dismantled the Dallas Stars on the score sheet and matched every bit of nastiness the Stars threw their way.

The CBJ started the season-long, five game road trip with two first period goals. Rick Nash (who else?) got his team on the board by chipping a loose puck over Marty Turco’s shoulder. The second goal of the game was a killer for the Stars as red-hot Kristian Huselius beat Turco five hole on a two-on-one with Antoine Vermette after a giveaway at the Dallas blueline. Not only was the goal short-handed, but it dented the twine with .3 seconds left in the period. Huge goal for a guy who has come to life in the last couple of games.

The first period featured three fights and a couple of additional scrums to make things interesting. During one scrum that happened in the Dallas end, Turco got involved with Nash and Stephane Robidas. CBJ netminder Steve Mason skated a couple hundred feet from his crease to see he was needed before being sent back to his net by the zebras. Jason Chimera fought Steve Ott after an Ott shift where he tried hitting, kneeing, biting, kicking and/or scratching anyone in a white sweater. Derek Dorsett gave up 20 pounds to Trevor Daley and still gave the Dallas defenseman all he wanted and Jared Boll tried his best to feed Krys Barch some knuckles in their tilt. It was family friendly entertainment at its’ finest!

In the second, more nastiness ensued. James Neal, who reportedly turned down a fight offer from Dorsett earlier in the game (Daley stepped up in Neal’s stead), drilled Dorsett’s head into the glass with his shoulder, knocking Dorsett into next week. It was a gutless hit on a defenseless player. Neal was given the gate and the CBJ a five minute major. The CBJ made the penalty really hurt when Huselius potted his second of the game and Torres roofed his 9th of the season from a beautiful pass from Jake Voracek. Both goals came on the major power play. Mike Modano capped the scoring in the second with a goal off a nice back door pass from Brendan Morrow.

Unlike games earlier in the season, there was no loose or panicked play in the third. The Jackets kept rolling four lines and hitting everything in sight. Mason has an answer for all six shots directed his way in the third. Jackets win, Jackets win 4-1.

The CBJ run their record to 12-6-2 through 20 games and remain two points behind the Chicago Blackhawks in the Central Division. They sit 6th in the Western Conference standings and look to a tough matchup with nemesis Nashville on Saturday night.

Carry the Flag!

Four Lines Deep 11/19/09

The Dallas Stars are the proud owners of one of the ugliest logos/sweaters in all of hockey.

Columbus (11-6-2) @ Dallas (9-5-6)
American Airlines Center, 8:30 pm EST
TV: FS-O (HD) / FS-SW (HD)
Last 5 games: CBJ (4-1) / DAL (3-2)

These two teams are about as even as they come. Both teams have earned a total of 24 points so far this season, and Dallas (7th) sits just one spot behind the Jackets (6th) in the standings. Phoenix is also tied with 24 points and sits in the 8th spot. Dallas is just returning home from a 4 game road trip. Columbus is beginning a season long 5 game road trip in Big D.

First Line: Take it to 'Em. As mentioned above, the Stars are playing their first home game after a 4-game/12-day roadie (although they did have 5 days between games 1 and 2). That includes a game last night where they managed to outlast the Red Wings in Joe Louis Arena. That game included the now infamous (it's not just famous, it's IN-famous) Brad May non-goal. Final score 3-1. They will be a tired bunch, and they Jackets will want to jump on them early. The Jackets have had a couple of days off and should be well rested. We've given up the first goal way too many times this season. Scoring on Dallas first could go a long way to taking the proverbial air out of their sails.

Second Line: Battle of the Rested Goalies. The skaters for the Stars may be tired from last night, but G Marty Turco is well rested having taken the night off. Likewise, Columbus G Steve Mason has had the past two games to get rested. Turco has a .920 SV% and 2.24 GAA in 13 games. Mason is sporting an .879 SV% and an atrocious 3.67 GAA in 14 games. This will be Mason's first outing since the debacle against Detroit on 11/11 when he gave up 8 goals. That, combined with the strong performance of backup goaltender Mathieu Garon in Mason's place should be plenty of juice to get Mason focused on playing well tonight.

Third Line: Skeletons in the Closet. Much has been made over the perceived drop in Jared Boll's level of play since taking a butt kicking from Stars F Krys Barch at the start of last season. Boll missed significant time and did not have the same fire in his belly when he did return last year. If both players are willing and able, will Boller try to redeem himself? Barch had a go with Brad May last night and both players landed some solid shots. I'm sure Barch's knuckles are tender. But the street runs both ways. Last season the Jackets sent Stars C Brad Richards out with a broken wrist that kept him out for a significant stretch late in the regular season. The Stars missed the playoffs by 8 points.

Fourth Line: Put the Past Behind You. So there was some turmoil in the Jackets clubhouse this week. Don't know if you heard, but F Nikita Filatov has been loaned by the Jackets to CSKA Moscow of the KHL. Filatov only played sparingly, at best, so to lose him from the lineup isn't a big deal. But how the situation both arose and how it was handled may be something that sticks in the backs of some players' minds. Personally, I think the players still on this team realized that Filatov wasn't ready for the NHL and are a better team for having cut some dead weight.

Bonus Line: An informed fan is a happy fan. Here are some links to some more game previews to give you even more insight into tonight's matchup: Columbus Dispatch, Dallas Morning News, NHL.com, and TSN.

Afternoon Scrum 11/18/09

Hockey headlines for the CBJ and from around the league. Mmmmm... hockey

• At the quarter-season mark, Pierre LeBrun over at ESPN has Rick Nash as the Hart Trophy winner. With 13g, 11a, 24p, -7 in 19 games, Captain Columbus certainly deserves to be in the mix.
• Sticking with the ESPN theme, LeBrun, Scott Burnside & John Buccigross have their North American Olympic teams posted. No R.J. Umberger on either list for Team America. At least Burnside/LeBrun explain the snub.
• Shanahan is hanging them up. The Hall of Fame awaits, and possibly a role in the NHLPA. At least according to the Canadian Press.
• Next up for the CBJ is the start of a 5 game road trip against Dallas tomorrow night. Get some scouting done this evening when the Red Wings host the Stars on the NHL Network. Game time is 7:30 EST. Don't have the NHL Network? Too bad... NHL On The Fly is the cat's ass! Wanna find out what cable provider in your area has it? Click here.

FILATOV UPDATE

Nikita Filatov, the 1st round draft choice of the Columbus Blue Jackets, has been "loaned" to the Continental Hockey League (KHL). The Columbus Dispatch has the story. No word on whether or not the CBJ received anything (read: cash) in return.

Here is an interview with Filatov that has been just posted on Yahoo.

Afternoon Scrum 11/17/09

Hockey headlines for the CBJ and from around the league. Mmmmm... hockey

• It appears that F Nikita Fiilatov's days as a Blue Jacket are over, at least for this season. While nothing is confirmed by either side, the Dispatch is reporting that in addition to the rumors that an agreement is in the works to send the Russian born winger to the KHL, his lockeroom stall has been cleared out and his name plate removed. Oh, and mom is in town. Being the good journalists that they are, the boys at the Dispatch didn't do much speculating, but I will. I am a fan of the kid and want him to succeed in this league, and specifically for this team. That being said, if he is incapable at this point of his career of not being a defensive liability to his teammates than he shouldn't be playing. This goes for any player, not just young Europeans. Some will say Hitchcock hasn't given the kid the chance he needs to prove himself. Horse puckies! Between last season, training camp, practices and games this season, he has had more than enough time to show that he can be a reliable teammate. Apparently he hasn't done that. We will know shortly if Filatov is headed back to Russia, as the rumors say, or if there is something here on this continent that will appease both sides. My question is did the Jackets just let a 1st round pick walk out the door without any kind of compensation? I doubt it will be that lopsided, and there will certainly be caveats that will determine the final outcome of this. For the foreseeable future it looks like we just helped relieve our "glut of forwards" problem. TSN has an article about kids in the NHL which features Filatov prominently. Porty even gets mentioned!
• Jackets take 2 against the Oilers. For the second game in a row, the CBJ have won in a shootout. This time it was against Edmonton. G Mathieu Garon was in net for both wins. Read all about it here... here... and here.
• Is Ovie back? Speculation is that Washington F Alex Ovechkin will make his return to the lineup tonight against the Rangers.
• POWER RANKINGS: Even my fellow bloggers here at JR were surprised to hear about the fan feedback for this item. Let's not waste time. ESPN, TSN, Dispatch, The Hockey News.