The Columbus Blue Jackets, injury riddled and all, will look to fight back against the odds as they face the Toronto Maple Leafs for the first time in 2014/15.
It should come as no surprise that injuries are the story of the day, and will probably be so for the next month, and head coach Todd Richards addressed the issue during the live-stream of the CBJ Morning Skate:
"It’s about doing more. It’s about doing what you do and be better at it."
It’s only natural – not that it’s necessarily a negative thing – for guys to want to pick up the slack from those missing on the ice, but Richards makes a good point about guys simply elevating what their specific style of play is and focusing not on what isn’t on the ice, but what is.
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The Jackets got more bad news following the loss to Ottawa, as
suffered a concussion and is expected to miss a week. However, there is some good news, as
is expected to return to the lineup for the first time since leaving the Staples Center ice on a stretcher. He will be the veteran anchor on the second line with
and
.
will get the start.
The Maple Leafs are coming off a 4-0 victory against the Buffalo Sabres, in which Toronto scored a power play goal as well as three 3rd period goals. The Sabres were also held to just 10 shots. Phil Kessel and Morgan Rielly both had two points in the victory. Jonathan Bernier got the start against Buffalo and is expected to get the start tonight.
This morning, Scott Hartnell talked about how poorly the CBJ have played in the third period, and how that’s a lot of what has gone wrong throughout this three-game skid, and that three-goals in Tuesday’s third period are incredibly disconcerting to see if you’re a Jackets supporter. Hartnell rightly identified the need for a full 60 minutes from Columbus tonight.
If things go well, heck, even decent tonight, it’ll be a great sign with this young lineup. Foligno back is great and should give the lineup an extra pep in their step. Also, I bet you anything Ryan Johansen is the last person who wants to see his nine-game point streak come to an end, so he’ll be looking to extend it to 10.
How do you see tonight playing out? Do you have any game day predictions? Let us know either in a comment below or on twitter at @UnionandBlue.