Can the Jackets make it *deep breath* 4 in a row?
Let's take a look at how this one breaks down.
OFFENSE
Even though the Jackets have technically scored more goals than the Blues (124 vs. 115) they don't hold much of an edge over them offensively.
Why?
The Jackets have played 3 more games than the Blues.
Even with the 3 more games played the Jackets do hold a slight edge in goals scored per game scoring 2.6 versus 2.52.
The good news is that it appears the Jackets offense is slowing snapping out of the offensive funk it was in. They've notched 4, 3 and 2 goals in their past 3 which equates to 3 goals per game.
Nash continues to lead this team in points with 41 in 47 gp but Antoine Vermette is quickly gaining on him and has 36p following by Juice (33) and Umberger (30).
It's no secret that Nash needs to get back to what he does best and that is scoring goals. His line with RJ and Juice have to more effective and the line of Voracek-Vermette-Torres needs to stay effective.
If you think the Jackets top forwards are having problems scoring than this may make you feel better. The Blues leading scorer in Brad Boyes has just 30 points. McDonald is 2nd with 27 following by 3 players (Backes, Perron & Tkachuk ) who each have 24.
Neither team brings much offense from the blueline with just one player from each blueline over 20 points (CBJ - Tyutin; Blues - Johnson)
Edge: Jackets
DEFENSE
Here is a stat for you:
The Blues have given up 24 less goals in 3 less games.
Here is another:
The Blues have 5 players with 30 or more games who are even or + players. The Jackets have two in Boll and Torres who are both even.
If you take into account the entire season the Jackets are a wreck defensively. The good news is that if you look at the past 8 of 9 games the Jackets have held their opponents to less two each of those games. The loan aberration was the 7 they gave up in Vancouver.
That is a clear sign the ship is being righted (or has been righted) on the backend for the union blue.
The Blues on the other hand have given up 4 or more goals in 6 of their past 8.
The challenge in this game for the Jackets is that St. Louis spreads their scoring throughout their lineup. There really isn't a go to top line that gets it done that needs shutdown. That means, as it should always be anyways, that all players must be defensively responsible and pick up their assignments. No lolly gagging or getting caught out of position.
Edge: Blues (season) CBJ (lately)
GOALTENDING
I think when this season concludes everyone is going to look back and say when Hitch finally relented and let the goalies decide who would play based on their play was when the Jackets finally figured this thing out.
Goaltending has absolutely killed the team up until the past 10 games or so and now that they are getting some consistent stops back there the players in front of them have gained confidence and started playing better and harder.
The checking and refocused of team defense has helped but if you ask me, it's the goaltending and timely saves that have helped the most.
Anyhow.. Garon, fresh off his 2nd shutout of the year and 3rd NHL star of the week, rightfully will get the pipes tonight for the Jackets. He's got a 2.55 GAA and .909 Save% and is making the saves that give his team confidence.
It will be interesting to see who gets the nod for the Blues between Chris Mason or Ty Conklin. Both have similar numbers so I'm not sure it really matters to the Jackets.
With the way Garon is playing I've got to give him the edge and hope the law of averages doesn't catch up to him tonight.
Edge: Jackets
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Jackets PP has slipped to 7th overall in the league and although potting a couple over this 3 game run it clearly hasn't been the force it was earlier in the year.
The Blues are ranked 27th in the league cranking away at 15.7%.
On the other hand, the PK for the Jackets has been stellar of late (a direct reflection on how much better the goaltending has been) and is all the way up to 12th.
The Blues are very good here as well with the 4th ranked PK.
By averaging both the Jackets should have the edge. The PP is going to have it's work cut out for it and the PK cannot let the 27th ranked PP beat it.
Also I think the Jackets have got to get back to setting Stralman up for the 1 time blast. They have really gotten away from quick puck movement that frees up lanes to get those shots off.
Edge: Jackets
X FACTOR
Will the Jackets streak end as the Blues look to start one?
The Blues are coming off a win -- but it was their first in 9 games. They have had a coaching change yet continue to struggle. They will certainly look at this opportunity to get on a bit of a roll at home. A place they are just 7-14-3 this season.
The Jackets will be looking at this game as a chance to extend their winning streak to 4 games which included two tough road wins in Alberta. They have to be careful not to come into this riding too high and remember what got them here --- that is a tough checking game and opportunistic goal scoring backed by excellent goaltending.
These are still two fragile teams who both have fallen well below expectations this year. I really have a feeling the team that gets the first goal in this game is gonna win it.
I'm still lookin for a little Nash pay back on Oshie.
GO JACKETS!
-LTL
