Columbus Blue Jackets Return Home, Look for Seven Straight

OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 29: Columbus Blue Jackets Right Wing Markus Hannikainen (37) battles for position in front of the net between Ottawa Senators Goalie Mike Condon (1) and Ottawa Senators Defenceman Johnny Oduya (29) during the second period of the NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Dec. 29, 2017 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Steven Kingsman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 29: Columbus Blue Jackets Right Wing Markus Hannikainen (37) battles for position in front of the net between Ottawa Senators Goalie Mike Condon (1) and Ottawa Senators Defenceman Johnny Oduya (29) during the second period of the NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Dec. 29, 2017 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Steven Kingsman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Columbus Blue Jackets look to set a season long winning streak.

Tonight the Columbus Blue Jackets will take on the Ottawa Senators as they look to set their season long winning streak. They have matched their run in November with six straight since March 2nd.

That run has kept them in a playoff position but given them any breathing room. The Florida Panthers and New Jersey Devils have kept pace and ripped off wins of their own to match the CBJ. The Panthers and Devils will both be in action tonight as well.

The Ottawa Senators fly in after an overtime win last night against the Dallas Stars. The Sens are riding a hot streak though having won their last three games. All those wins were against good teams as well including a 7-4 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. In those wins they are averaging five goals a game.

The Sens will likely start Mike Condon as Craig Anderson made the start last night against the Stars. The Columbus Blue Jackets faced Condon in their second game against the Senators in December when they lost 5-4. Condon did not play well as he allowed four goals on 25 shots. But he played better than Sergei Bobrovsky that night. I do not expect that to happen twice in the same season.

What to Watch

Artemi Panarin is looking to keep his six game point streak rolling. He also has points in 12 of the last 13 games. The top line of Panarin – Dubois – Atkinson is one of the hottest lines in the NHL recently. I expect at least a goal out of this line tonight.

Sergei Bobrovsky will go for his fourth straight victory. In those four wins Bob has a save percentage of .930. Pretty impressive.

Next: CBJ Boast Best D-Corps in East

Also should keep your eyes out for plenty of green. St. Patricks Day is upon us and the Columbus Blue Jackets will be wearing green jerseys in warmups. Those jerseys will be raffled off for charity.

Puck drops at 7pm at Nationwide Arena in another huge March matchup for the Columbus Blue Jackets.