6. Check out the Big Time Matchup in Columbus
If you can’t wait nine days to watch hockey in Columbus, you don’t have to. The Ohio State woman, led by Emma Maltais (pictured above), host the #2 ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers this weekend. The sophomore Maltais leads the Buckeyes with 30 points in 24 games this season.
The Ohio State women are coming off a rough weekend where they were swept by Minnesota-Duluth. They need to get back on track after the tough losses that dropped the lady Bucks to 15-8.
Games at the Ice Rink on OSU’s campus are free so there’s no excuse to miss the high level action if you need to scratch the itch while the Jackets are away.
5. Root for the Chicago Blackhawks
Hear me out folks. It’s all about the CBJ making the playoffs and possibly winning the Metropolitan Division. While the Jackets are away, the former Western Conference rival Blackhawks will take on the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders.
Bot the Caps and Islanders are ahead of the Jackets in the standings and after two straight losses, the Jackets could use some help from the Hawks.
Jackets fans will also be pulling for San Jose and Toronto who also take on the Caps before the All-Star break. The Caps rough finish before the break could be made even more difficult as Alex Ovechkin will have to decide whether or not he sits out the Toronto game before the break or the Calgary game after the break. This, of course, is because he decided to skip the All-Star game.