Important Road Trips
By Mark Huss
The second road trip is what I like to call “The Tour Around Canada”. On this road trip, the Blue Jackets face 5 out of 7 of the Canadian teams. The tour around Canada starts in Ottawa, a team that has begun to prove themselves and can be extremely deadly when running on all cylinders.
Two days and twenty-two hundred miles away, the Blue Jackets take on the young and talented Edmonton Oilers. They are a team still looking to establish themselves and find success, but should still not be under estimated.
Apr 19, 2013; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; General view of the face off between the Calgary Flames and the Anaheim Ducks during the third period at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Just south of Edmonton is Calgary, home of the struggling Flames, the Blue Jackets next opponent on the tour around Canada. I would say that this game should be one of the easier games of the road trip, but, it is the very next night after what will most likely be a fast paced game in Edmonton. This may be a good game to slow the pace down and conserve energy for the last two legs of the trip.
The next Canadian opponent, Vancouver, which is the farthest stop west (obviously). The Canucks have been a powerhouse in the Western Conference for quite some time now, but have never translated that success into a Stanley Cup. Arguably the toughest team on this Canadian road trip, the Blue Jackets will have to find a way past the Sedin twins (good thing they are mostly know for their offensive talent) and Roberto Luongo.
Last stop, Toronto. Just over twenty-seven hundred miles away from Vancouver, Columbus ends their Canadian tour against the Maple Leafs. After a complete meltdown in the third period against the Bruins in the playoffs, the leafs have got to be motivated to convince everyone they are still a competitive team.
That concludes the “The Tour Around Canada” in mid November.
Road Trip Record Prediction: 2 Wins, 2 Losses, 1 OT Win (no particular order).