Both the Vancouver Canucks and Columbus Blue Jackets come into tonight's contest looking for their first win of the season. The Nucks have been sitting and stewing on their 4-3 shoot out lose to the Penguins on Thursday. The Jackets have lost twice coming into a season full of hope and anticipation, the last was a lackluster performance against Minnesota on Saturday night. Just like death and taxes, Canucks fans are already jumping on Roberto Luongo as he gave up two soft goals in their lose and CBJ fans are saying 'here we go again.'
Both reactions are over the top but that is the world that both organizations live in these days. Most of the angst lives in Columbus as the team's power play, that was to be much improved, is O-fer so far this season. 11 man advantages and nothing to show for it has many scratching their heads. Obviously, missing James Wisniewski is a big part but the power play units look at times that the players just met in the parking lot before the games.
Another special team that is not so special is the penalty kill that has given up three goals while facing seven short-handed situations. Getting beat behind the entire unit was witnesses in the Wild game when Marco Scandella went by all the Union Blue like they were setting up camp. It's a problem that is being glossed over due to the struggles of the power play but is a situation that is something that will need to be tightened up or will haunt this team all year.
The Canucks are short one of their key components in Ryan Kesler as he is out with a hip injury but they still have more than enough fire power left. The Sedin twins are off to a good start as Daniel had a goal and an assist in their home opener against the Penguins and Henrik with two helpers.
Luongo's career record against the Blue Jackets won't impress as he is 9-5-4 but the 4 shut outs and a 2.26 goals against average and .915 save percentage let's you know that he has played well against Columbus. Jackets have already faced a top end goaltender at home when they went up against Pekke Rinne who was on the top of his game. Jackets are hoping that Luongo may be rusty with the lay-off since Thursday and not well rested and focused.
Key for the Jackets to come out with a win is pretty simple. Special teams need to be special. The power play has enough pieces to be able to twist the twine at least once and the penalty kill unit has no excuse of why they are killing off penalties at only a 57% clip.
Second line needs to light the lamp. With R.J. Umberger, Antoine Vermette and Cam Atkinson, they have more than enough scoring prowess to add to the numbers on the scoreboard.
Defense needs to get defensive. This means not allowing the Canucks go to the net with no resistance. Also, the amount of turnovers by the defense is disturbing especially when it is happening from the players that were to be on the top two pairings. Continuing to leave Steve Mason to be hung out to dry is a situation that will end badly.
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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