Jackets vs. Sharks Pregame

After an exciting and decisive win against Detroit on Tuesday, the Jackets hit home ice again tonight against the San Jose Sharks. While this game features a Western Conference opponent, the two points up for grabs are just as important tonight as they have been since the Olympic break.

Columbus defeated San Jose 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

The Jackets currently hold the third and final playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division, but they are tied with the Philadelphia Flyers in points (73), games played (65) and wins except shootout wins (30). The Jackets and the Flyers are interchangeable in the third Metro spot, and the Flyers don’t play again until Saturday, which means getting two points tonight is critical. It would really help put some distance between Philadelphia and Columbus in the standings.

Moreover, the Jackets are only two points behind the New York Rangers, who currently hold the second playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division with 74 points. With a win tonight, the Jackets could potentially surpass New York and move into the second spot in the division. However, the Rangers play tonight as well. And, like the Jackets, face a Western Conference opponent in Minnesota. It’s safe to say I’ll be rooting for the Wild tonight.

As for the Jackets’ opponent tonight, it’s a tough one. The Sharks are currently in second place in the Pacific Division, and have an impressive 91 points. They are 42-17-7 this season, which seems daunting. However, 13 of those 17 regulation losses and 3 of the 4 overtime losses are on the road. The Sharks are  25-4-4 at home, and 17-13-3 on the road. This makes tonight’s game look like a much more manageable task for the Jackets. It’s clear that the Sharks are a formidable team at home, but on the road they are much more vulnerable. Not to say that tonight’s game will be an easy one, but perhaps a task the Jackets will be able to handle. I guess we’ll find out.

The Jackets are  34-26-5 this season, and at home are 19-11-2. They have earned 40 points at home this season, which is to say that 54.8% of the Jackets’ points this season have come on home ice. Contrast that to the Sharks’ 37 points on the road. Only 40.65% of the Sharks’ points this season have come on the road.

y Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

Lastly, have a look at the Jackets’ lineup for tonight. Blake Comeau is out of the game due to his two-game suspension (read about that here) and Artem Anisimov is out for tonight so he can be with his wife as she is expecting a baby. Cam Atkinson is likely to be back in action tonight after being scratched for two games. Hopefully the bench time will have him on fire as he returns to play again tonight against San Jose.

If the Jackets play the kind of game they played in the third period against Detroit, I think they can win this game. Knowing how important these two points are for them this season, we can expect them to come out full force and play a hard-fought game at home tonight. Guess we’ll find out tonight! Should be a good game! Go Jackets!