The Jackets are like a bad car wreck - you just can't help but peak in to see just how bad things are. Our next chance to rubber neck is tonight in Dallas.
Oddly enough Dallas is where the Jackets last won on the road. It's also were James Neal rammed Derek Dorsett's head through the boards.
OFFENSE
The good news is both of these offenses are similar - at least in terms of goal production. The Jackets have cranked out 105 while the Stars sit with 107.
The similarities don't stop there either. Both teams get it done about the same at even strength and on the PP.
5 on 5 the Stars have 64 goals while the Jackets have 61. 5 on 4 the Stars have 30 goals while the Jackets have 28.
What's interesting is that that Stars rank 21st in the league with goals scored at home with 48. The Jackets (who are even worse than that on their home ice) rank 4th in the league in goals for on the road with 60.
In terms of the names it's the same ole faces to watch out for. The Stars are led by Richards (who has a team high 40 points), Neal, Eriksson, Ribeiro and Morrow. The Jackets will count on Nash (team high 35 points), Vemette, Umberger, Huselius and hope to get something from Voracek and Brassard.
Both teams don't have much pop from the blueline. Robidas for the Stars and Stralman (if he plays) are the PPQBs each team leans on.
Edge: Push
DEFENSE
The good news for the Jackets stops there.
As we all know the Jackets couldn't stop a NERF football right now which their 131 goals against suggests. The Stars, however, don't have that issue. They've only allowed 112 goals against.
Bottom line is that if the Jackets want to win - saaaay sometime again this season - they have to be better defensively. They need to get back to doing the little things right... stop screening the goaltender... clear lanes... backcheck like it's your last shift in the NHL... block shots... play strong along the boards.... no dumb decisions with the puck.... responsible gap control... don't take unnecessary chances... be nasty to play against!!!
Edge: Stars
GOALTENDING
Let's let the graphics do the talkin shall we?
Help us Alex Auld... you're our only hope!
Edge: Stars
SPECIAL TEAMS
After last night's game the Jackets PP is back to be #1 in the league converting on 23.2% of their chances. Whooop-deee-do-dah right?
The Stars check in at 10th overall with a 20.6% conversion rate.
On the PK the Jackets again are the better team on paper ranked 18th to the Stars' 25th.
The game will come down to if the Jackets can keep the puck out of their own net but it sure wouldn't hurt if the Jackets special teams could outplay the Stars like the rankings suggest it can.
Edge: Jackets
X FACTOR
How about actually coming out and being prepared to play at the drop of the puck? Better yet how about scoring first? The Jackets will have their work cut out for them with the Stars top 2 lines.
For once I kinda like the Jackets chances to win a game. I think these teams match up well. I mean it has to end sometime right? I would suggest to have the following on stand-by just in case:
1. Have the egg nog handy (preferably with a shot of grandpa's cough medicine mixed in)
2. The ear muffs locked in tight (to either drown out Davidge or the in-laws)
3. The remote control at arm's reach (in case one needs to end the misery).
As always I'll be tuned in and hope that the Jackets don't tune out.
GO JACKETS!
-LTL
