@ Anaheim
10.24.09
10:00 EST
The problem is that there is no way Anaheim's offense is going to stay that anemic... not with the likes of Getzlaf, Perry, Whitney, Lupul and Ryan along with seasoned vets Selanne, Niedermeyer and Koivu. It's not a question of "if" they will break out but "when".
Must stop Getzlaf! No 3 point night (Iginla)... no 5 point nights (Hemsky, Penner)....
With two losses, a bad home record, with a team that hasn't scored much waiting to break out and with the home crowd behind them on a Saturday night against a team that has let in bushells of goals.... these Ducks may fly.
On paper the Jackets should have the edge but with the way this team has been giving up goals on the road lately it would be foolish to think they do.
Edge: Push
DEFENSE
Both teams are struggling defensively and are in the bottom half of the goals against in the league.
Sounds basic but the team that can get back to the basics and figure out how to get back to the systems that have made them successful in the past will win.
For the Jackets that means a total re-commitment by everyone on this roster to the checking system that Hitch has installed that they have completely gotten away from. A player like Brassard for example has to clear pucks and do a much better job in his zone. A player like Tyutin has to stop making boneheaded decision in his zone and stop trying to do too much. Guys like Umberger and Vermette have to be more noticeable in all facets including the defensive end of the ice.
I'm sure Anaheim has many of the same problems throughout their lineup.
I really believe this is the area in this particular game that will decide the outcome.
Edge: Push
GOALTENDING
Goaltending for both squads has struggled.
The Jackets with Mase/Garon have given up 12 goals in their past 2. Anaheim has given up 9 with Hiller in net the past 2.
There are been some major breakdowns in front of them but Mase/Garon have not made many, if any, big game saves and bailed their teams out. To win this game that has to change.
Edge: Push
SPECIAL TEAMS
PP:
Anaheim: 28th
CBJ: 9th
PK:
Anaheim: 25th
CBJ: 3rd
The Jackets have been living on their special teams. The good news in this game is that Anaheim is dead last in the league at giving up 5 on 4 goals having allowed 10 already this season. If the Jackets can *gulp* keep the damn puck out of their net then the special teams could, on paper at least, win this one.
Edge: Jackets
X FACTOR
I don't like the way the cards are stacked against the Jackets for this one. All signs point towards the Ducks using this game to get back on track. The Jackets on the other hand can't allow it and need to ignore the crowd and focus on getting their own game back on track and put an end to the breakdowns in their own end.
It looks like Commodore will be back in the lineup tonight. We can't expect him to log huge minutes right off the bat but getting him back in the mix should be a nice boost to the D core.
-LTL
The Ducks are 1-3-1 at home. They have lost their past 2. This will be their 4th and final game of their current home stand.
The Jackets are 2-3-0 on the road. They have lost their past 2.
Doesn't look like much of a recipe for the Jackets to end their losing streak and cook up another road win.
OFFENSE
Anaheim has had a real problem scoring goals. They've only racked up 18 in 8 games. That is tied for 2nd worst in the entire league.
The Jackets have potted 25 in 8 which is exactly 15th best in the league.
Doesn't look like much of a recipe for the Jackets to end their losing streak and cook up another road win.
OFFENSE
Anaheim has had a real problem scoring goals. They've only racked up 18 in 8 games. That is tied for 2nd worst in the entire league.
The Jackets have potted 25 in 8 which is exactly 15th best in the league.
The problem is that there is no way Anaheim's offense is going to stay that anemic... not with the likes of Getzlaf, Perry, Whitney, Lupul and Ryan along with seasoned vets Selanne, Niedermeyer and Koivu. It's not a question of "if" they will break out but "when".
Must stop Getzlaf! No 3 point night (Iginla)... no 5 point nights (Hemsky, Penner)....
With two losses, a bad home record, with a team that hasn't scored much waiting to break out and with the home crowd behind them on a Saturday night against a team that has let in bushells of goals.... these Ducks may fly.
On paper the Jackets should have the edge but with the way this team has been giving up goals on the road lately it would be foolish to think they do.
Edge: Push
DEFENSE
Both teams are struggling defensively and are in the bottom half of the goals against in the league.
Sounds basic but the team that can get back to the basics and figure out how to get back to the systems that have made them successful in the past will win.
For the Jackets that means a total re-commitment by everyone on this roster to the checking system that Hitch has installed that they have completely gotten away from. A player like Brassard for example has to clear pucks and do a much better job in his zone. A player like Tyutin has to stop making boneheaded decision in his zone and stop trying to do too much. Guys like Umberger and Vermette have to be more noticeable in all facets including the defensive end of the ice.
I'm sure Anaheim has many of the same problems throughout their lineup.
I really believe this is the area in this particular game that will decide the outcome.
Edge: Push
GOALTENDING
Goaltending for both squads has struggled.
The Jackets with Mase/Garon have given up 12 goals in their past 2. Anaheim has given up 9 with Hiller in net the past 2.
There are been some major breakdowns in front of them but Mase/Garon have not made many, if any, big game saves and bailed their teams out. To win this game that has to change.
Edge: Push
SPECIAL TEAMS
PP:
Anaheim: 28th
CBJ: 9th
PK:
Anaheim: 25th
CBJ: 3rd
The Jackets have been living on their special teams. The good news in this game is that Anaheim is dead last in the league at giving up 5 on 4 goals having allowed 10 already this season. If the Jackets can *gulp* keep the damn puck out of their net then the special teams could, on paper at least, win this one.
Edge: Jackets
X FACTOR
I don't like the way the cards are stacked against the Jackets for this one. All signs point towards the Ducks using this game to get back on track. The Jackets on the other hand can't allow it and need to ignore the crowd and focus on getting their own game back on track and put an end to the breakdowns in their own end.
It looks like Commodore will be back in the lineup tonight. We can't expect him to log huge minutes right off the bat but getting him back in the mix should be a nice boost to the D core.
-LTL
