If you had asked us before the year about the importance of an early January matinee game against the Buffalo Sabres, we would have been very wrong. But, as things go, this afternoon's Blue Jackets game has massive implications for their entire season.
This weekend may be their final chance to test their mettle and get back into the playoff race. Once these two games are complete, they will be at the halfway mark of their season.
It's not going to be easy. Today, they get to face the NHL's hottest team. Since naming Jarmo Kekalainen (remember him?) as their General Manager, the Sabres have not lost.
The Opponent
Whatever Jarmo said to this team behind closed doors seems to be working. The Sabres are suddenly mighty, currently in the midst of a franchise-record tying 10-game win streak.
They seem to have figured out how to play defense in the last month. In this stretch of wins, they have only given up more than two goals twice-something that hasn't been done for the last six games against them.
Alex Lyon and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen have split the starts in goal during this win streak. With each playing terrific hockey, the Sabres have leap-frogged out of last place in the Eastern Conference, and currently own the second wild card spot. They sit at 21-14-4 (46 points).
Up front, the Sabres are led in scoring by Tage Thompson. He has 20 goals and 37 points in 39 games played. But, this isn't a team boosted by one superstar. They score by committee, currently owning 7 players who have more than 20 points.
Everything seems to be clicking for them right now. All of the years of squandered seasons and wasted potential have done a complete 180 for Buffalo, and this team is playing like a promising young upstart.
Like the Blue Jackets, the Sabres have been off since New Years Eve, giving a few of their wounded a chance to recover. We will have to wait and see what their full lineup looks like.
The Good Guys
The Jackets looked to be heading in the right direction. But a two minute lapse on Wednesday night cost them two points against the New Jersey Devils.
Since acquiring Mason Marchment, this has looked like a different CBJ team, but with similar results. They continue to blow third period leads, which is a trend that has to stop if they are really serious about climbing back into the playoff race.
Consider this: if not for those brutal two minutes against the Devils, and a similar sequence in Anaheim two weeks ago; the Blue Jackets would only be 2 points behind the Sabres in the standings heading into this game.
Instead, they are at the bottom of the conference, three points behind the next closest team. They own the worst goal differential (-13) in the East, and are tied with Vancouver for the fewest regulation wins (10).
Simply put, if this team can't pull four points out of these two games this weekend-ideally in regulation-their goose might be cooked.
Danton Heinen will enter the lineup today, making his CBJ debut. He replaces Miles Wood, who hit the IR list after Wednesday's loss. We are also expecting Zach Werenski to return after missing the last 4 games, with Dysin Mayo coming out of the lineup.
Three Keys to Success
1. Win the third period. It's not hard to see where the issue lies within this team. They are 3-2-0 in their last 5 games. They won the third period in their three wins.
2. Solve the Sabres' defensive riddle. Buffalo is streaking because they aren't giving up goals. If the Jackets can find 3-4 of them today, they will have a chance to win this game.
3. Snarl. I know it's kids takeover day at Nationwide, but I'm begging this team to play the game with some emotion. Play mean hockey. When they do that, the doubt doesn't creep in and they play a better brand.
It's an early puck drop today, scheduled for just after 3:00 Eastern Time. Let's go Jackets.