Gameday 11-30-09: Blues vs. Blue Jackets

Game Info

Location: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Game-time: 7:00 pm Central
TV: FSMW
Radio: KMOX 1120 AM

Cutting tonight’s Gameday short. Work was hectic after the Holiday. Will be back with a good recap tonigh or tomorrow in the AM. Fans should be treated to a good game, even though it won’t be in HD.

Food For Thought

The Blues travel to Columbus tonight for a tilt with a team in a similar disposition. A Young, up and coming team struggling after a being swept in the first playoff appearances since the lock out (first ever for Columbus). At least our Mason is playing better than theirs.

Columbus has not won in their last 5 games.

Both teams are struggling to find an identity this season. Key players have had issues with production and effort. Both teams need the same effort they received last season if they want to win tonight’s game.

Can the Blues power play step up? Will Rick Nash take over? Will Nash be Oshie’d? Watch sparks fly tonight.

UPDATE 6pm Central: Blues Jackets Blogger Eric Smith reports the following teams are scouting the game tonight. Tampa, Florida, New Jersey, Edmonton, Detroit, and San Jose.

Difference Makers:

The Top Six.

Have they been good or what? The Backes and McDonald lines have combined for 18 points in the last three games. The guys getting paid to deliver, finally are and the Blues took five out of six points in the last three games. Look for them to step it up again tonight.

Player Notes:

There are a lot of changes, here they are.

- Brad Winchester out, Patrik Berglund in.

- AS Randall noted earlier today, Jonas Junland has been recalled from Peoria per Captain Eric Brewer going in IR retroactive to Nov. 25th. Junalnd will wear #53 per the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

- Carlo Colaiacovo is out with an injury to his foot after blocking a shot Saturday. Expect Junland to fill his role on the power play, manning the left point with Erik Johnson.

- Alex Pietrangelo will be scratched once again. It appears he will not get in to an NHL game till after he attends Canada’s World Junior Team camp and plays in the Tourney. I’ll have more on that later.

Perron-McDonald-Boyes
Kariya-Backes-Oshie
Steen-McClement-Crombeen
Berglund-Tkachuk-Janssen

Sydor-Johnson
Jackman-Polak
Junland-Weaver

Chris Mason will start in goal.

Who to Watch for?

TJ Oshie

We all know what TJ Oshie did to Rick Nash twice last season. TJ has been on his game lately, watch out for an eye catching game tonight.