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Wild-Blue Jackets: How They Match Up |
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While this game is one that the Wild should win, that's the fact that really scares me on this one folks. After an emotional and very well played game against the struggling Ducks, Lemaire was careful not to let his team get too high after that victory by skating them extra long in practice yesterday and pointing out all of the negatives in the Ducks win. Columbus comes in to this game two points behind 8th place Vancouver in the West and have lost both games since the all-star break to Phoenix and Nashville, both games were 4-2 against.
The Wild are currently 12th in the NHL in goals per game, while the Blue Jackets are 25th; the Wild are 10th in goals against per game, while the Blue Jackets are 6th; on the powerplay, the Wild are 7th and the Blue Jackets are 23rd; but, on the penalty kill, the Wild are 9th and the Blue Jackets are 3rd.
With regard to the above stats, while goals against and penalty kill are great things to excel in, I would frankly rather have the very good stats in all 4 categories that the Wild have compared to being very good on some things and very bad on others as the Blue Jackets are.
The Wild are led by Gaborik (26G and 27A), Bouchard (11G and 33A), Rolston (18G and 19A), Belanger (12G and 21A) and Demitra (10G and 21A). The Blue Jackets are led by Zherdev (21G and 24A), Nash (26G and 17A), Fedorov (8G and 19A), Hainsey (5G and 19A) and Chimera (8G and 14A). As for grit, Boogaard is out for the Wild but, notwithstanding, are still led by Voros (83 PIM's) and Fedoruk (82 PIM's). Those two guys combined have one more penalty minute than Boll of the Blue Jackets (164 PIM's), followed by Tollefsen (81 PIM's) and Foote (75 PIM's). In net, it appears that outstanding Blue Jackets goalie, Pascal Leclaire (2.11 GAA) will have the night off and will be spelled by Norrena (2.57 GAA). It is expected that Backstrom will get the nod for the Wild (2.48 GAA) with Harding backing up (2.88 GAA).
With the struggles the Blue Jackets have scoring, coach Ken Hitchcock has instituted the neutral zone trap. That style of play being Lemaire's forte, I would expect that he then knows what it takes to counter that system.
Look for the Wild to continue playing fast and aggressive, while the Blue Jackets will look to transition should the Wild coaching staff let them stray too far away from their own defensive game. Also, look for the Blue Jackets to perhaps take some risks despite their defensive system given the fact that they are just on the playoff bubble.
In the end, I look for the Wild to be leading after the 2nd period and go on to win this one in a very aggressive affair tonight. The Wild lead the series 2-1 thus far and look to put Columbus in their rear view mirror. If Columbus does drop out of the playoff picture, look for Fedorov, Peca and/or Foote to become available given the fact that they are UFA's next year (thanks to djanimosity for the correction). The Wild could use Foote's grittiness and playoff experience, while Fedorov and/or Peca are face off specialists which the Wild could use more of.
Note to Columbus: there is no better way to build your team than by being sellers at the deadline. Look to St. Louis for proof of that.
In any event, should be a fun one to watch tonight! Game not televised locally, but will be available on CenterIce and will be on WCCO radio. Let me know if you Wild fans want an ongoing game blog for this one or not. Go Wild!!!!