Game Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets Look For Season Sweep Against Detroit Red Wings

By Kyle Morrison on April 3, 2018 at 7:34 am
Dylan Larkin leads the Detroit Red Wings with 59 points on the season.
USA Today – Raj Mehta
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Here we are, the home stretch.

Tonight marks game number 80 for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and things are coming down to the wire. Sure, they're sitting in the Metropolitan Division's third spot, but despite having a bit of a cushion in the playoff race, they're still not a lock. They can clinch tonight – but they'll need some help from the Nashville Predators, who are set to face the Florida Panthers tonight. If the Jackets gain one more point than Florida does tonight, they're in. 

MATCHUP:

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Detroit Red Wings
Nationwide Arena, 7:00 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Ohio

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

  • The Detroit Red Wings have not been very good this season, with just 71 points on the year. Still, there's some intriguing talent there, particularly Dylan Larkin, who leads the team with 59 points on the campaign. 
  • A win tonight would pull the Blue Jackets even with their rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, who currently hold the Metropolitan's second spot. That would set up a huge game between the two teams on Thursday, giving the Jackets a chance to pass the Penguins and giving them a chance to clinch home ice in the first round with a win in Nashville.
  • This is the third matchup between the Jackets and the Wings this year, and Columbus has won both in memorable fashion. The first was a nine-round shootout that the Jackets won thanks to a Jack Johnson goal, while the second was the third win on their recent 10-game streak, with two Seth Jones goals.
  • A contingent of Blue Jackets players missed yesterday's skate with apparent illness. Among those missing: Seth Jones, Ryan Murray, Artemi Panarin, Thomas Vanek and Lukas Sedlak. They are expected to be available tonight, though. Nick Foligno and Josh Anderson are still recovering from injuries sustained over the past few weeks, while Markus Nutivaara will miss tonight's game after sustaining an injury last time out. 

TALE OF THE TAPE:

RED WINGS

30-38-11 (5th in Atlantic Division)
PP: 16.7% (28th) / PK: 78.4% (21st)
5v5 Corsi: 49.0% (20th)

BLUE JACKETS

44-29-6 (3rd in Metropolitan Division)
PP: 16.1% (28th) / PK: 77.8% (23rd)
5v5 Corsi: 51.6% (9th)

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