The Columbus Blue Jackets are in the endgame now. With just a handful of games to play, Columbus is looking up at the Montreal Canadiens, back by two points with a game in hand. They'll get a chance tonight to pull even with a win over the New York Islanders
Sunday's 5-0 win over Vancouver is certainly a confidence-builder, but if the Blue Jackets regress to the form they showed earlier on that trip, it'd take the wind out of their sails. Here's tonight's preview.
FORWARDS
Panarin - Dubois - Atkinson
Dzingel - Duchene - Anderson
Wennberg - Jenner - Bjorkstrand
Dubinsky - Nash - Hannikainen
DEFENSEMEN
Werenski - Jones
Nutivaara - Savard
Kukan - McQuaid
GOALTENDERS
Bobrovsky/Korpisalo
STORYLINES
- The Blue Jackets basically have to ride Sergei Bobrovsky the rest of the way here, right? His seventh shutout of the season on Sunday showed that he's in peak form, and it sure looks like he's gearing up for his swan song in Columbus.
- Alexander Wennberg… hello. The Swedish center has been much maligned for the whole season, but now that he's playing alongside Boone Jenner and Oliver Bjorkstrand, it sure looks like he's starting to find his game. His effort on Sunday night was superb, as he looked decisive and even put a few shots on goal.
- Beyond just being productive, Josh Anderson has certainly set the tone for the Blue Jackets down the stretch. Can he keep it up tonight against one of the best defensive teams in the league?
