Pregame: Columbus Blue Jackets at Anaheim Ducks
Coming off an exciting victory last night, the Columbus Blue Jackets now head to Anaheim to face their second California team in as many days. It’s going to be another tough one tonight, as the Jackets take on the league-leading Anaheim Ducks, and on Ducks home ice, too.
Tonight is the fourth game of a five-game home stand for the Ducks, and so far they’ve won every one. In fact, they’ve won every home game so far this season, and have won every one of their last six games. The Ducks are a league-leading 6-1-0 this season, their only loss being on the road. If last night was a challenge, facing the Ducks in Anaheim after playing last night is even more so.
That’s not to say the Jackets don’t have a chance tonight, but they are going to have to be better than they were last night. Although it ended well, a sloppy start led to the Jackets being behind 2-0 after one period. Though they did come back last night, they won’t be able to afford a start like that tonight. They’ll need to come out giving full effort, which wasn’t the case last night.
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And giving full effort isn’t easy on the second night of a back-to-back in a different time zone. I don’t expect the Jackets to come out with as much speed as last night, given the intensity of last night’s game. What I am hoping for, though, is for them to come out looking less rusty. It was clear last night that they hadn’t played in four days, and now they are back in the swing of things. Time to get it together.
There are two big points at stake in Anaheim tonight. After last night’s victory, the Jackets are now sitting at second place in the Metro, just two points behind the Islanders, with one game in hand. That game is tonight. If the Jackets can come away with two points here, it would tie them for the top spot in the division. Not bad.
Plus, if the Jackets win tonight, they’d have the exact same record as the Isles, and if they win in regulation or overtime (barring a shootout), the Jackets will be one ahead of the Islanders in ROW, which would put them solidly in the number one spot. Never a bad place to be.
So, predictions anyone? Here’s what the twitter conversation looks like:
@UnionandBlue Their goalies hot... almost too hot... #CBJ bring out the snipes and play a little #DuckHunt, Defense bounces back, Low Score
— John Flores II (@JFloCLE) October 24, 2014
@UnionandBlue JoJo scores again! Bob stands on his head with 40 saves. #CBJ win 3-2
— Jason Newland™️ (@F1RETHECANNON) October 24, 2014
Not bad predictions, here’s hoping they’re right! Do you agree with our twitter friends, or do you have a prediction of your own? Comment below and let us know! Go Jackets!