To say that Jake Voracek has been the most consistent player all year for the Blue Jackets would not be a stretch. The worry of a sophomore slump may still remain for Derick Brassard and Steve Mason but not for Vcek. More known as a table setter, Voracek popped in 2 goals last night to help lead the CBJ over the Anaheim Ducks 6-4. Voracek has points in 6 out of 9 games and is +5 so far this season. His ability to use his size this year has been a thing of beauty. What makes him even more dangerous is that he hasn't lost any of his speed with the extra 15 pounds that he packed on.

Antoine Vermette was simply fantastic last night as he got 1st assists on both of Voracek's goals, added a goal himself and finished +4 for the night. Vermette has also been a consistent point getter this year with points in 6 out of 9 and a total of 9 points. Consistent effort from Vermie is leading to the consistent scoring. Last nights goal and one of his assists were from his knees.

What is intriguing is the addition of Kristian Huselius to this line. He was added early in the Edmonton game as Head Coach Ken Hitchcock tried to shake things up. What has happened since is 5 goals and 10 points by this line over the last 2 games. Don't expect Hitch to change this line until it runs it's course.

Nash Milestone and Trends

I will first with the praise of Rick Nash. With the empty netter last night, Nash hit the 200 goal plateau for his career. To hit that mile marker at 25 and mainly surrounded by less than desirable players is something else. With better talent around him for the foreseeable future, he should get to 400 even faster.

All right, now that the love fest is over, there is a disturbing trend over the last 2 games with Nash is that he has been on the ice for the last 9 out of 10 goals scored against the Blue Jackets. What does a stat like that mean? I may mean nothing or it may mean more than that. Part of it is that Jan Hejda is not back there as Nash's safety blanket. Nash has continued to be very aggressive and now when the play breaks the other way, defenseman are not slowing people down and scoring opportunities are coming in bunches. Another reason is that Nash is on the ice a lot. 41 minutes in the last 2 games puts him out there for a lot of the scoring opportunities. Whatever the reason or no reason, the Blue Jackets and Nash need to figure it out.

Tonight's Game Prediction

Blue Jackets 5 - Kings 2 --- Look for the Killer V's to stay at it and cause problems for the Kings. Also the Kings have lost Justin Williams off the top line and have replaced him with 3rd line grinder Wayne Simmonds. He performed well in his first game on the 1st line scoring a goal but things have a way of evening their way out. The Blue Jackets can concentrate more on Anze Kopitar and Ryan Smyth. The Blue Jackets should also have a little more focus as a 4 out of a possible 8 points on this road trip is not bad but 2 out of 8 is very bad. The Kings are no joke and are leading the Pacific Division.

To be honest, this is a gut call and not much else.

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Eric Smith
Eric.Smith@HockeyBuzz.com

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