Game Preview: Blue Jackets Conclude Road Trip, Face Ducks In Anaheim

ANAHEIM DUCKS

20-33-2 (42 pts; .382%) 7th, Pacific Division ROSTER SCHEDULE

10:00 P.M. – WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21 HONDA CENTER ANAHEIM, CA

TELEVISION: Bally Sports Ohio ESPN+ Power Play (Out of Market)

The Columbus Blue Jackets second long road trip in the last month will come to an end Wednesday night when they face the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center on Wednesday night.

Before entering the All-Star Break, the Blue Jackets went 2-2-1 on a five-game roadie that included their annual western Canada swing. After one game back at the friendly confines of Nationwide Arena, Columbus hit the road again for a four-game road trip that so far has led to a 1-2-0 record. 

That includes a 5-1 loss Tuesday night in Los Angeles against the Kings. It was the 11th consecutive game in which the Blue Jackets followed a win with a loss.

Wednesday, they'll look for two points against Anaheim to go .500 on the road trip and give themselves yet another opportunity at winning back-to-back games; something they haven't done since November.

Here's what else to know when the Blue Jackets and Ducks face off in southern California:

TALKING POINTS: ANA

• The Ducks are returning home after a four-game road trip of their own. They went 2-2-0, most recently getting a 4-3 win in Buffalo against the Sabres on Monday night. In the game prior, they allowed four power play goals in a 9-2 shellacking versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.
   
• Like the Blue Jackets, the Ducks have a somewhat odd blend of talented players in their prime and young players who need ice time. For Anaheim, that's guys like the 29-year-old Frank Vatrano — who leads the team in goals (26) and points (44) — and 19-year-old rookie Leo Carlsson, who was the second overall pick in last summer's NHL draft and has 21 points in the first 36 games of his NHL career. 

TALKING POINTS: CBJ

• Yet again, special teams doomed the Blue Jackets in the loss Tuesday against the Kings. Los Angeles scored on both of their power play opportunities, making it five of the last seven games in which Columbus allowed multiple power play goals. The penalty kill over that stretch is a pitiful 50% (12-of-24). The power play went 0-for-3, and has now converted on just two of their 20 opportunities during that same stretch. Even-strength play has not been a problem for the Blue Jackets — but games in the NHL can't be won on 5-vs-5 play alone. 
   
•  On the heels of Elvis Merzlikins' start Tuesday night, expect Daniil Tarasov to get the nod for Wednesday game. If lines remain the same as they did Tuesday, here's what things may look like — but of course, are subject to change: