CONNECT!
  • PODCAST
  • ITUNES

SIGN UP FOR
OUR NEWS LETTER

MAKE A DONATION

DONATE

Preview: Blue Jackets Vs Tampa Bay

By: Nolan Graley

The Columbus Blue Jackets (28-32-8) are coming off a 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins and will look to rebound against the Tampa Bay Lightning (39-24-5). This game will be another opportunity for Columbus to show that despite their losing record, they are still a team capable of taking down the best in the league.

Keys To The Game
Blue Jackets
1. Capitalize On Mistakes – the Tampa Bay Lightning played in the most recent Stanley Cup championship and their mistakes are what stopped the franchise from winning their second. If Columbus hopes to defeat a playoff ready team, they must capitalize on every mistake Tampa Makes. The Bolts will be looking to do the same.
2. Top Line Consistency – The Columbus top line consisting of Cam AtkinsonBoone JennerBrandon Dubinsky has been hot recently. The trio has been consistent with any line in the NHL and will need to be on their best to take down the reigning Eastern Conference champs.

Tampa Bay
1. Playoff Calibur Defense – the Tampa Bay Lightning fought their way to last years Stanley Cup with top tier defense and goaltending. The Lightning will hope to recapture that strategy against a lower ranked team in Columbus.
2. Puck Possession – if Tampa wants to minimize the chances for a young and dangerous team, they will want to keep the puck away from Columbus’s youthful offense. Controlling the puck and putting more shots on either rookie goaltender Joonas Korpisalo or recently returned netminder Sergei Bobrovsky than Columbus can put on their own.

Players-To-Watch
Columbus Blue Jackets
Our Columbus Blue Jackets player to watch is Cam Atkinson. Atkinson’s season has been phenomenal, setting new career bests in every offensive category. Atkinson will be on that top line with the aforementioned Boone Jenner and Brandon Dubinsky and is arguably the most lethal on when it comes to offense potential.

Tampa Bay Lightning
Our Tampa Bay Lightning player to watch is Victor Hedman. Hedman is in the top five for his team in points playing on the blue line, and will look to shut down the top offensive players for the young CBJ.

Lines will be announced as soon as the information becomes available. Game starts at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Follow us on Twitter! @BlueJacketsArmy

Like us on Facebook! Blue Jackets Army

PICK A TEAM

chigago blackhawks

Chi-Town Hawks

anaheim ducks

Ducks N Pucks

boston bruins

Bruin Strong

carolina hurricanes

Carolina Caniacs

colorado avalanche

Denver Avs

arizona coyotes

Coyotes Howl

Buffalo sabres

Sabres Den

columbus blue jackets

Blue Jacket Army

dallas stars

Shootout Stars

calgary flames

Fierce Flames

detroit red wings

Red Wings Town

new york islanders

Long island Pucks

minnesota wild

Rink Wild

edmonton oilers

Ice Oilers

florida panthers

Roaring Panthers

new york rangers

Fighting Rangers

nashville predators

Preds N Pucks

los angeles kings

LA Royalty

montreal canadiens

Hockey Habs

new jersey devils

Puck Devils

st.louis blues

Break Away Blues

san jose sharks

Bay Sharks

ottawa senators

Slap Shot Sens

philadelphia flyers

Furious Flyers

winnipeg jets

High Flying Jets

vancouver canucks

Canucks N Pucks

tampa bay lightning

Bay Bolts

pittsburgh

Pens N Pucks

toronto maple Leafs

Just Leafs

washington capitals

Capital Pucks