vs. Pittsburgh
10.30.09
7:00 EST
Edge: Penguins
DEFENSE
To have a 10-2 record in this league it probably means you're getting it done at both ends of the ice. That is certainly the case for Pittsburgh as they are only giving up 2.17 goals per game which is 4th best in the league. This team is playing a complete game and their record reflects that.
The Jackets on the other hand have sprung more leaks than the Titanic. They are no where near a complete game and have fallen all the way down to 26th overall in the league giving up a *gasp* 3.46 goals per game. For a team that is supposed to be built around an accountable checking system with strong goaltending that is a staggering change of events.
If the Jackets have any hope of winning tonight that has got to change. At an absolute bare minimum Crosby has to be contained and EVERYONE has to do their part at both ends of the rink.
Edge: Penguins
GOALTENDING
We'll make this one pretty simple today:
SPECIAL TEAMS
PP:
Pittsburgh: 17th
CBJ:12th
PK:
Pittsburgh: 11th
CBJ: 21st
Stop the presses as the Jackets are actually ranked higher in a category than the Penguins... and of all things who in the hell would have ever guessed it to be the powerplay?? That is the way things are going for the Jackets lately.
Kidding aside the PP has been the only thing going right and that will need to continue... However the PK is going to have to find a way to right it's ship... that has to start with the goaltender being the best killer which hasn't happened for quite some time. Of course the best way to penalty kill is to stay out of the box which is something Jackets haven't been able to do either.
Edge: Push (I just couldn't bring myself to give the Pens the edge in every category)
X FACTOR
The Jackets need to somehow forget everything that has happened to them the past 5 games. It's behind them now and there isn't a thing they can do it about. Focus on the task at and that that is clipping the Penguins.
Want more motivation..? How about taking down the defending cup champs? That should do it.
This team has got to figure out how to score more goals... especially at home and especially at even strength. Thus far they only have 9 goals in 4 home games. That is 27th in the league. The need to stop with the fancy dancy passes and start driving the net... score ugly and score often.
Even more than that they need to figure out how to stop giving goals up. We know they are capable b/c basically this is the same roster that did so all of last season.
I doubt there will be much of a home ice advantage tonight. I expect the Penguins bandwagon to be out in full force. Funny to think back to Crosby's first year he visited Columbus.... I could count maybe 100 to 200 Penguins fans in the building.... easy to support a winner.
We'll see if the Jackets have an tricks or treats in-store for the CBJ faithful tonight. We could use em.
Apparently tickets are still available Jackets fans!! Be sure to cross check a P-burg fan out of the line to get yours!
Go Jackets!!
-LTL
OFFENSE
Pittsburgh has one of the most prolific offenses in the league led by Crosby and Malkin who each check in at 14 points a piece. The Penguins as a whole have averaged over 3.33 goals per game which is 6th in the league.
Interesting to note that the Jackets Rick Nash has actually scored more points (15) than both of those superstars with one less game played.
Even without Malkin and Gonchar the last thing the Jackets need is to get into a track meet with this team. If they do they lose.
...and how about an even strength goal or two tonight boys?
Pittsburgh has one of the most prolific offenses in the league led by Crosby and Malkin who each check in at 14 points a piece. The Penguins as a whole have averaged over 3.33 goals per game which is 6th in the league.
Interesting to note that the Jackets Rick Nash has actually scored more points (15) than both of those superstars with one less game played.
Even without Malkin and Gonchar the last thing the Jackets need is to get into a track meet with this team. If they do they lose.
...and how about an even strength goal or two tonight boys?
Edge: Penguins
DEFENSE
To have a 10-2 record in this league it probably means you're getting it done at both ends of the ice. That is certainly the case for Pittsburgh as they are only giving up 2.17 goals per game which is 4th best in the league. This team is playing a complete game and their record reflects that.
The Jackets on the other hand have sprung more leaks than the Titanic. They are no where near a complete game and have fallen all the way down to 26th overall in the league giving up a *gasp* 3.46 goals per game. For a team that is supposed to be built around an accountable checking system with strong goaltending that is a staggering change of events.
If the Jackets have any hope of winning tonight that has got to change. At an absolute bare minimum Crosby has to be contained and EVERYONE has to do their part at both ends of the rink.
Edge: Penguins
GOALTENDING
We'll make this one pretty simple today:
Fluery:
Save %: .921 (4th in league)
Mason:
Savie %: .877 (dead last in league at .877)
Honestly I'm not sure why Hitch is even playing him. I'd take my chances with Garon going up against his former squad.... although that strategy didn't exactly play out like gangbusters in Edmonton.
Mase has to shine tonight to win.
Mason:
Savie %: .877 (dead last in league at .877)
Honestly I'm not sure why Hitch is even playing him. I'd take my chances with Garon going up against his former squad.... although that strategy didn't exactly play out like gangbusters in Edmonton.
Mase has to shine tonight to win.
Edge: Penguins
SPECIAL TEAMS
PP:
Pittsburgh: 17th
CBJ:12th
PK:
Pittsburgh: 11th
CBJ: 21st
Stop the presses as the Jackets are actually ranked higher in a category than the Penguins... and of all things who in the hell would have ever guessed it to be the powerplay?? That is the way things are going for the Jackets lately.
Kidding aside the PP has been the only thing going right and that will need to continue... However the PK is going to have to find a way to right it's ship... that has to start with the goaltender being the best killer which hasn't happened for quite some time. Of course the best way to penalty kill is to stay out of the box which is something Jackets haven't been able to do either.
Edge: Push (I just couldn't bring myself to give the Pens the edge in every category)
X FACTOR
The Jackets need to somehow forget everything that has happened to them the past 5 games. It's behind them now and there isn't a thing they can do it about. Focus on the task at and that that is clipping the Penguins.
Want more motivation..? How about taking down the defending cup champs? That should do it.
This team has got to figure out how to score more goals... especially at home and especially at even strength. Thus far they only have 9 goals in 4 home games. That is 27th in the league. The need to stop with the fancy dancy passes and start driving the net... score ugly and score often.
Even more than that they need to figure out how to stop giving goals up. We know they are capable b/c basically this is the same roster that did so all of last season.
I doubt there will be much of a home ice advantage tonight. I expect the Penguins bandwagon to be out in full force. Funny to think back to Crosby's first year he visited Columbus.... I could count maybe 100 to 200 Penguins fans in the building.... easy to support a winner.
We'll see if the Jackets have an tricks or treats in-store for the CBJ faithful tonight. We could use em.
Apparently tickets are still available Jackets fans!! Be sure to cross check a P-burg fan out of the line to get yours!
Go Jackets!!
-LTL
