Match-up - Columbus Blue Jackets (17-17-3) @ Dallas Stars (18-14-6) Road/Home records - 8-8-1 -------------- 9-7-5 TV - FS-SW, FS-O Puck drop - 8:30 p.m. ET Season series - 1-0 Stars Last 10 - Blue Jackets: 7-2-1 ------------ Stars: 8-1-1 Projected starting goalies - Sergei Bobrovsky vs Anders Lindback
Projected lines for the Stars via DailyFaceoff.com:
Jamie Benn - Tyler Seguin - Colton Sceviour Erik Cole - Jason Spezza - Ales Hemsky Antoine Roussel - Cody Eakin - Ryan Garbutt Travis Moen - Vernon Fiddler - Brett Ritchie
Alex Goligoski - John Klingberg Jamie Oleksiak - Trevor Daley Jordie Benn - Jason Demers
Injured: Valeri Nichushkin, Patrick Eaves, Patrick Nemeth.
Projected lines for the Blue Jackets:
*Letestu, Atkinson expected to return. Unsure about line combo's.
Scott Hartnell - Ryan Johansen - Jeremy Morin Matt Calvert - Brandon Dubinsky - Cam Atkinson Nick Foligno - Mark Letestu - Jack Skille Corey Tropp - Michael Chaput - Jared Boll
Jack Johnson - David Savard Kevin Connauton - James Wisniewski Fedor Tyutin - Cody Goloubef
Injured: Artem Anisimov, Boone Jenner, Brian Gibbons, Nathan Horton, Ryan Murray.
What to watch:
1) Cam Atkinson and Mark Letestu are expected to return to the lineup tonight. They are two of Columbus' best possession players and having them back improves the team's depth significantly, which is important given how poorly the bottom-6 has played of late. Columbus has won 11 of 14 but need to be better if they want the wins to keep piling up, and the return of Atkinson and Letestu should help them in that regard.
2) Cody Goloubef was very good in his return to the lineup vs Colorado, as he posted the best possession numbers on the team with somewhat limited offensive zone starts. He also recorded two assist in the win. If he continues to play like that he won't be coming out of the lineup any time soon.
3) Dallas is scorching hot of late with eight wins in their last 10 games and they can score with the best of them. That means a) Columbus will need to tighten up defensively and; b) Sergei Bobrovsky will need to play very well. If those things don't happen the Jackets probably won't win.
4) The Stars average over 11 minutes of penalties per game and the Blue Jackets PP is clicking at almost 25%, so that will be something to watch. If the Stars are not disciplined and play with fire they're going to get burned.
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