For the second time in two weeks the slumping Blue Jackets will try to reverse their fortunes against the Dallas Stars. Last time around, Rick Nash willed the Union Blue to the win scoring an almost inconceivable goal, sending a low wrist shot through traffic, with just 46.1 seconds remaining to force overtime. The captain and Kyle Wilson both scored identical goals in the shootout -- clean wrist shots, top-shelf stick-side -- to snap a five-game losing skid. It was a win to build off of if there ever was one, too bad no one in the Columbus locker room seemed to take note.
The Stars have been treading water with a 2-2-1 record since the Dec. 6 loss in Nationwide, while the Jackets have been sinking, and sinking fast. Columbus got just two points in this week's road trip to Western Canada courtesy of a couple of overtime losses in Calgary and Vancouver. Call them moral victories if it makes you feel better because the team did show grit in coming back to force the extra frame each night. But, the travesty in Edmonton Thursday night erased anything positive that could be taken away from the western swing.
Yes, the Edmonton Oilers have a very young, talented roster. With the likes of Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Magnus Paajarvi and Linus Omark they may become one of the most exciting teams in the league to watch this season, but they're still a far cry from a playoff team. After 6-3 throttling, where Steve Mason got lit up yet again, the Blue Jackets don't exactly look like they'll be playing late into April either.
Head coach Scott Arniel will almost assuredly start Mathieu Garon in net tonight against Big D. Garon has been a rock in net for the Jackets this season -- this team would be in the Sean Couturier race if not for the Chandler, Que. native -- and Arniel simply cannot afford throw Mason out there hoping he gets his act together. Garon will need some help on the other end, preferably from someone aside than Kristian Huselius.
Loose Pucks
- All signs point to Kari Lehtonen getting the start in net for Dallas. The Blue Jackets have faced the big Fin just twice, with the other start coming back in 2007-2008 while he was still with Atlanta. The book may be out on Lehtonen as each of Columbus' goals in the last match-up -- two in regulation and two in the shootout -- came stick-side; three of them high. He's also making his second start after missing four games with "lower-body tightness." Popping up and down from the butterfly could create some holes as well.
- Pick your poison, CBJ. The Stars' lineup boasts a number of players that give the Union Blue fits. Brad Richards (5-6-11 in 9 games) and Loui Eriksson (5-5-10 in 9 games) have had their fair share of success against the Columbus in the past. Oh, and some young winger by the name of James Neal comes to mind as well.
- The Juice was loose (forgive me) last Thursday night in Edmonton. Huselius was about the only player that showed up for Columbus, recording his second career hat trick in the 6-3 loss. That's right, the man with one leg was the only one who could find the back of the net against an Oilers club that has surrendered more goals (108) than any team in the league.
- The Jackets have not had a lead in the past 188 minutes. Woof.
-------------------
Background
Howdy all, I'm Bart Logan and I'm thrilled to be taking over for Eric Smith as the Columbus Blue Jackets blogger here on HockeyBuzz. I'm a senior majoring in multimedia journalism at Ohio University and a Columbus native. I am currently credentialed and I've been covering the Blue Jackets for a number of online and radio outlets over the past three seasons.
I fell in love with the sport watching the Columbus Chill, Central Ohio's old ECHL team that moved 1999 to make room for the Jackets. I played hockey through high school and, once I accepted that I wasn't going anywhere as a player, decided to head into the journalism field in hopes of staying connected with the sport. I want to thank Eklund and co. for this tremendous opportunity. I know I've got some big shoes to fill and look forward to bringing you critical, objective Blue Jackets coverage with a healthy side of Ohio sports cynicism.
Send your questions, compliments or complaints to
[email protected] and you can follow me on Twitter: @bart_logan.
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»