The Jacketsblog: An Unofficial Columbus Blue Jackets Blog

The road trip from hell was exactly that. Now the CBJ return to Nationwide for two desperately needed points.

7:00pm EST, Nationwide Arena

Fox Sports Ohio, Standard Definition

The Jackets are desperate. They may have already given up for all we know. But like the unabashed fan that I am, I’m still going to the game, still going to cheer loudly, and still going to have fun.

It is possible that Derick Brassard will make his (hopefully) triumphant return to the line-up tonight. I don’t expect it, especially against a team known for goonery like St. Louis. That is unless everyone around him has his back.

Not a surprise is the expected start of goaltender Mathieu Garon.

I don’t care if it’s a blowout or a shootout win, just find a way to win boys, make the drive well worth it.

Go Jackets.

After starting the new year 0-5, the Blue Jackets have gained points in 4 straight games and need to carry momentum into a massive game tonight in St. Louis.

8:00pm EST, Scottrade Center

Fox Sports Ohio, High Definition

As we venture deeper into the final half of the season, the urgency with which the Jackets must play increases. Especially as teams ahead of them continue to gain points…

The Jackets have gone 2-9-4 in their last 15 road games and have won only once since March of 2007.

Yikes.

Sounds like I picked a good road game to travel to… they are DUE for a win.

After Steve Mason’s strong outing on Wednesday, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see Mase back in net tonight. The key of course will be to come up with a couple of key saves early in the game as the Jackets will no doubt have a hard time finding their feet as they tend to do early in games.

On a side note, in this time of spread-out games I’d like to be posting more often, but I recently moved and my ISP has been extremely slow when it comes to installing the internet at the new place.

Huge two points on the line… with a (regulation) win the Jackets will jump to 11th place and sit a mere 3 points out of 8th place.

Go Jackets.

The Jackets welcome their first Central Division foe of the 2010-11 season into Nationwide Arena tonight.

7:00pm EST, Nationwide Arena

Fox Sports Ohio, High Definition

Both teams are coming in as surprise teams in the Western Conference. The Blues carry a 7 game winning streak and playoff hero Jaroslav “The Client” Halak, the Jackets boast a slew of untapped talent.

When it comes to scoring, neither team has really found the back of the net with regularity. When you couple that with average defense, as the Blue Jackets have had for the most part, it’s amazing that the CBJ still sit at 8-5. The Blues lack of scoring is backed up by superb play from Halak that has earned him a gaudy 8-1-1 record and 1.45 GAA. Wow.

If there was ever a game for Antoine Vermette and Nikita Filatov to break out of their slumps, this needs to be it. Something has to give when it comes to the contribution from anyone but the first line and Kyle Wilson. Maybe Umberger gets back in the act with a dirty goal, maybe Jared Boll shocks us all, or possibly Rick Nash, Jake Voracek, and Derick Brassard continue to carry the load.

What will be key, and as it always is, Steve Mason must perform. Here he is after sitting out 3 straight games, how will he respond? He seems to be saying all the right things, but will it translate into inspired play to grab the net and claim it for himself.

Game previews:

Yahoo! Sports

NHL.com

The Dispatch

Go Jackets.