rustybadcock
1-15-08, 7:18 AM
Canucks-Blue Jackets Preview
Jan 15, 2008, 4:00 PM PT
TV Information
Local Home:
FSN-O
Local Away:
SNET-P
The Columbus Blue Jackets have created a pretty strong home-ice advantage lately.
They'll be looking to extend the longest home winning streak in franchise history on Tuesday when they meet the Vancouver Canucks.
Columbus (21-18-6) beat Nashville 2-1 in a shootout on Saturday, extending its win streak at Nationwide Arena to five games. Since their last defeat on their own ice, 3-1 to the Predators on Dec. 23, the Blue Jackets have outscored their opponents 17-8 at home.
Columbus was coming off a 6-4 home win over St. Louis on Friday that followed a 1-3-0 road trip.
"It's what we wanted to do, we wanted to come out and get four points," center Dan Fritsche said. "I think the team's playing great, we had a great two games. We played just like we wanted to.
"We've got one more home game here on Tuesday and we need that win before we hit the road to feel good about ourselves."
Nikolai Zherdev scored the lone shootout goal against Nashville and assisted on Rostislav Klesla's game-tying goal in the third period. Zherdev was coming off a two-goal performance against the Blues and has four goals and five assists in Columbus' last four home games.
"We needed someone to step up, and he stepped up (Friday) and did it again today," coach Ken Hitchcock said of Zherdev. "Right now, this is a lot of games in a row where he's stepped up and made good account of himself when we've needed him the most."
Pascal Leclaire stopped all three shooters in the shootout and made 26 saves in regulation and overtime, improving to 5-1-0 with a 1.78 goals-against average in his last seven starts.
"We have a good thing going on at home right now, we're playing well," Leclaire said.
The Blue Jackets have dropped both games against the Canucks (25-16-4) this season, including a 2-0 loss in Vancouver in the last meeting on Nov. 29. Vancouver's Roberto Luongo stopped 26 shots for his third straight shutout in that game.
Luongo, who has allowed three goals in his last two starts, has six shutouts this season and 38 in his career. He has recorded four shutouts - tied for his most against any team - while going 5-2-2 with a 1.64 GAA in nine career starts against the Blue Jackets.
The Canucks are coming off Sunday's 4-3 shootout win in St. Louis. Daniel Sedin had a goal and two assists, and twin brother Henrik had a goal and an assist for Vancouver, which won for the first time in four road games.
"I think we were on our toes from the beginning," Daniel Sedin said. "When we forecheck good we usually play good."
Taylor Pyatt assisted on two goals, but left late in the first period when he was struck in the face by the puck. He didn't return and coach Alain Vigneault said he would be examined by the team dentist on Monday.
Pyatt has 11 goals and 14 assists this season and was coming off a two-goal performance in Friday's 4-3 home loss to Phoenix.
"It took longer than we expected to stitch him up, and his teeth are sort of in the back of his mouth right now," Vigneault said. "Until they take an X-ray, there's not much you can tell."
Doesn't sound so hot for Pyatt, hopefully he's alright. I have my doubts.
If this game doesn't get Beech's blood flowing I am not sure anything will, this is a tell tail game for him. And if there was any bad blood on his way out of town it might just surface tonight.
The Twins...I think they're gonna carry on where they left of last game. When their scoring their scoring, when their not their not. Of late they're scoring.
Any injury updates people have would be nice.
Enjoy the game.
rb
Jan 15, 2008, 4:00 PM PT
TV Information
Local Home:
FSN-O
Local Away:
SNET-P
The Columbus Blue Jackets have created a pretty strong home-ice advantage lately.
They'll be looking to extend the longest home winning streak in franchise history on Tuesday when they meet the Vancouver Canucks.
Columbus (21-18-6) beat Nashville 2-1 in a shootout on Saturday, extending its win streak at Nationwide Arena to five games. Since their last defeat on their own ice, 3-1 to the Predators on Dec. 23, the Blue Jackets have outscored their opponents 17-8 at home.
Columbus was coming off a 6-4 home win over St. Louis on Friday that followed a 1-3-0 road trip.
"It's what we wanted to do, we wanted to come out and get four points," center Dan Fritsche said. "I think the team's playing great, we had a great two games. We played just like we wanted to.
"We've got one more home game here on Tuesday and we need that win before we hit the road to feel good about ourselves."
Nikolai Zherdev scored the lone shootout goal against Nashville and assisted on Rostislav Klesla's game-tying goal in the third period. Zherdev was coming off a two-goal performance against the Blues and has four goals and five assists in Columbus' last four home games.
"We needed someone to step up, and he stepped up (Friday) and did it again today," coach Ken Hitchcock said of Zherdev. "Right now, this is a lot of games in a row where he's stepped up and made good account of himself when we've needed him the most."
Pascal Leclaire stopped all three shooters in the shootout and made 26 saves in regulation and overtime, improving to 5-1-0 with a 1.78 goals-against average in his last seven starts.
"We have a good thing going on at home right now, we're playing well," Leclaire said.
The Blue Jackets have dropped both games against the Canucks (25-16-4) this season, including a 2-0 loss in Vancouver in the last meeting on Nov. 29. Vancouver's Roberto Luongo stopped 26 shots for his third straight shutout in that game.
Luongo, who has allowed three goals in his last two starts, has six shutouts this season and 38 in his career. He has recorded four shutouts - tied for his most against any team - while going 5-2-2 with a 1.64 GAA in nine career starts against the Blue Jackets.
The Canucks are coming off Sunday's 4-3 shootout win in St. Louis. Daniel Sedin had a goal and two assists, and twin brother Henrik had a goal and an assist for Vancouver, which won for the first time in four road games.
"I think we were on our toes from the beginning," Daniel Sedin said. "When we forecheck good we usually play good."
Taylor Pyatt assisted on two goals, but left late in the first period when he was struck in the face by the puck. He didn't return and coach Alain Vigneault said he would be examined by the team dentist on Monday.
Pyatt has 11 goals and 14 assists this season and was coming off a two-goal performance in Friday's 4-3 home loss to Phoenix.
"It took longer than we expected to stitch him up, and his teeth are sort of in the back of his mouth right now," Vigneault said. "Until they take an X-ray, there's not much you can tell."
Doesn't sound so hot for Pyatt, hopefully he's alright. I have my doubts.
If this game doesn't get Beech's blood flowing I am not sure anything will, this is a tell tail game for him. And if there was any bad blood on his way out of town it might just surface tonight.
The Twins...I think they're gonna carry on where they left of last game. When their scoring their scoring, when their not their not. Of late they're scoring.
Any injury updates people have would be nice.
Enjoy the game.
rb