Columbus Blue Jackets Staring Down the Barrel: Kings in LA

The Columbus Blue Jackets take on the Kings in Staples Center.

The California road trip for the Columbus Blue Jackets continues with an injection of Brandon Dubinsky into the lineup. The center returns after a quick recovery from an oblique tear sat the veteran down for three weeks.

Ahead of the game, I sat down with Robyn, a fantastic Los Angeles Kings writer from JewelsFromTheCrown.com. Robyn and the team at JFTC are tuned in and provide great coverage on one of the most surprising teams in the NHL.

Watching how the Kings will move forward from a rough start will be fascinating to see what they do moving forward. You’re going to want to give Robyn a follow on Twitter and bookmark JewelsFromTheCrown.com and read their great coverage going forward.

Lansing Murphy (LM): Not an ideal start for the Kings. What has been the issue in LA?

Robyn P (RP): An excellent question to be sure and the answer is: it’s complicated. The Kings seem to be a team unsure of who they are. Yes, the idea of “identity” is totally overplayed but it’s perhaps the simplest explanation. Others include an overall system that’s a total mess and seems itself clueless as to what and how this team should play.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Ilya Kovalchuk was the big free agent signing from the summer but so far he’s off to somewhat of a disappointing start, despite being tied for the team lead with eight points.

LM: Los Angleles has been talked about as a landing spot for Artemi Panarin. What do you think about the Kings picking up Panarin in a midseason trade to try and right the ship?

RP: Landing Panarin would be a dream and something I brought up over the summer. Could he be a mid-season pickup? Potentially, depending on the cost and how things play out. He would certainly be a major boost to their wing depth. Nothing is out of the question but for now it seems unlikely.

LM: What player should Jackets fans look out for tonight?

RP: Dustin Brown certainly proved to be a valuable part of the Kings’ win over the New York Rangers on Sunday but we’re still waiting for the bottom six to start doing something beyond taking dumb penalties.

I’m going to go a little off the board with my pick, though, and say Tanner Pearson. His wife just announced that they’re expecting so maybe he’ll be able to channel his inner dad-to-be and score (doesn’t usually work until after the babies are born with this team but who knows?)

LM: What scares you most about this Columbus Blue Jackets squad?

RP: When Torts’ teams are on, they’re so good and they look like world beaters.

LM: How does tonight’s game play out?

RP: It’ll probably be close, but a terrible blowout one way or the other wouldn’t surprise me, either. My prediction? 4-3.

We love the ambiguity Robyn and we’re going to assume you mean a Jackets win 4-3. It was great to sit down the Robyn and we appreciate her time. Go check her work out!