
Back to hockey... The Canucks' stinky schedule takes them into Columbus tonight against a Jackets squad that has won 5 straight at home and is extending a franchise record home wining streak. Both teams have won 3 of their last 5. Both teams are 6-4-0 in their last 10.
What is motivating the Jackets in a big sense now is that they are only 3 points out of a playoff spot, sitting in 10th place. The Canucks on the other hand are now in 5th place because the Northwest Division AND the Western Conference is such a dog fight. They are 4 points away from falling into 9th spot. So a win here is mandatory.
I think we'll take this one tonight, but it should be close. We are facing Pascal Leclaire afterall. He's damned good ( 5-1-0 with a 1.78 goals-against average in his last seven starts). I say we win 2-1 in a shootout.
-The Canucks have won both game against the Jackets this season by scores of 4-1 (October) and 2-0 (November).
-Taylor Pyatt needed over 20 stitches to put his mouth back together after taking a puck in the face from Eric Brewer. He also had to have a splint inserted in his mouth to hold his teeth in place. Lovely. Taylor ain't so pretty anymore is he, ladies?
-For the Jackets, apparently Sergei Fedorov will be out of the lineup with a hip pointer. Adiose, sucka.
-Kris Beech will be extra motivated tonight as he faces the team that put him on waivers last week. Look for him to play a strong game.
T Tags: Canucks Blue+Jackets Preview Taylor+Pyatt+mouth+injury Kris+Beech