BLUE JACKETS (13-13-8) at RED WINGS (10-20-4)
Saturday, 3 p.m. ET, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
TV: FOX Sports Ohio, CBJ app, FOX Sports Go app
Radio: Eldorado Scioto Downs Blue Jackets radio network (97.1 The Fan flagship)
John Tortorella has an idea of what he’d like to see from his team as it goes on the road for a six-game trip that could determine the fate of this Blue Jackets season.
As the season has gone on, Columbus has figured out a number of the big things that were plaguing the team through the first few weeks. But as the games become more and more important in the playoff push, it’s the little things that will be the difference between a fifth straight Stanley Cup Playoffs appearance and an unfulfilling summer of what ifs.
“I think our game has come along,” the head coach said Friday. “We have for a number of weeks now have had some great improvements as far as our (defensive zone) coverages, as far as how many chances we’re giving up and also developing more forechecking and creating scoring chances. The thing we have to learn, and it gets more and more brighter as you get into the latter part of the season and you’re on that fine line between getting in or getting out … are the ebbs and flows, the details of the game.
“That’s how we’re going to keep ourselves competitive.”
The trip begins with two games this weekend against Detroit, which occupies last place in the Central Division. After that, a four-game swing to Florida will feature two games against high-flying Tampa Bay and two more against a Florida team contending for a division title.
Get a sufficient number of points and a playoff push could be in the offing. Fail to get results and a postseason appearance will be harder and harder to accomplish. The good news is that the Blue Jackets think they can build on getting five points in four games vs. Carolina, including Thursday night’s game in which the Jackets suffered a 4-3 overtime loss but played some of their best hockey of the year in the final two periods, carrying play against a Carolina team much more used to doing the dictating.
“It just goes to show we can play with any single team on any given night,” Cam Atkinson said. “We have to continue to play like that, but do it on a more consistent basis and we’ll have some more success.”
Consistency has been the toughest thing for the Blue Jackets to produce during this very different NHL season, but the game has started to come together. Now, the results have to follow.
“They know how important this trip is,” Tortorella said. “I think it’s important to come off of two pretty good periods of hockey and lead off with that, just come in behind that and not be discouraged about losing that second point last night. I think the mood will be good.
“Is it a challenge? Yeah, it’s a challenge. That’s why we play the game. We want to be in these situations.”
Know the Foe
The Red Wings come into the series second from last in the NHL in points percentage, but one must still put in a full day’s effort to beat Detroit. The Wings already have an overtime win vs. Columbus this year, not to mention two wins this season vs. Carolina and one against defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay.
In fact, Detroit won three of four games from March 11-18, downing the Lightning, ending Carolina’s eight-game winning streak and then beating last year’s Stanley Cup runner-up in Dallas.
But since that win over the Stars, the last three games have been bleak, as all of them are losses by a combined score of 12-1, including a 7-1 setback suffered at the hands of Nashville on Thursday night.
In all, Detroit enters the game 30th in scoring (2.12 goals per game), 27th in team defense (3.32 goals allowed), 29th in power play (12.0 percent) and last in penalty kill (71.4 percent). Despite some reinforcements joining the team this fall, the rebuild continues for the Red Wings.
The trio of standout young offensive players the Wings have been building around — Dylan Larkin (24 years old), Tyler Bertuzzi (25) and Anthony Mantha (26) — have all had their struggles this year. Larkin, the captain, has a 6-10-16 line 30 games while battling injury, while Mantha has just eight goals and 15 points in 33 games and Bertuzzi has been out for all but nine games because of injury.
As a result, defenseman Filip Hronek leads the team in scoring with 18 points on one goal and 17 assists, while 25-year-old forward Robby Fabbri is another talent to watch who leads the squad with nine goals among his 17 points. Veteran Bobby Ryan also has a 7-7-14 line, including three goals in three games vs. Columbus.
In net, Jonathan Bernier has been solid this year with an 8-6-0 record, 2.78 goals-against average and .918 save percentage, but he’s been out of late with a leg injury. Thomas Greiss is at 2-14-4/3.51/.885, while Calvin Pickard has played in two games in relief.
3 Keys to the Game
Come out strong: This is a game where early momentum could be important. Columbus will want to keep its good play late in the Carolina game going, while Detroit will want to respond to its shellacking Thursday. A good start is key.
Win special teams: Both teams have struggled in this area, but Detroit is below Columbus in both power play and penalty kill. The Jackets have to take advantage.
Play 60 minutes: The Blue Jackets can’t effort a letdown. The Wings showed earlier this year in Detroit they are fully capable of taking points off Columbus, so the Jackets have to be ready.
Of Note
Dean Kukan is slated to play in his 100th career NHL game, while Eric Robinson is slated to play in his 99th career contest. … Oliver Bjorkstrand leads the team with a 12-17-29 line this year and has 6-6-12 in the last 11 games. … With his three assists Thursday, defenseman Seth Jones has a 3-4-7 line in the last five games, while defensive partner Zach Werenski has points in six of eight games (3-4-7). … Max Domi has played in 302 consecutive games since Feb. 2, 2017, the seventh longest active streak in the NHL. … Domi also has a 2-3-5 line in the last seven games. … Tortorella has 668 career wins, four behind Mike Keenan for 12th place in NHL history. … Columbus has gone 23-4-3 against Detroit since March 17, 2011, including an 13-1-1 mark since the start of the 2016-17 season. The Blue Jackets have picked up points in seven straight meetings (6-0-1) including a 2-0-1 mark this year.
Projected Lineup
(Subject to change)
Oliver Bjokstrand – Kevin Stenlund – Patrik Laine
Max Domi – Jack Roslovic – Cam Atkinson
Boone Jenner – Riley Nash – Nick Foligno
Stefan Matteau – Ryan MacInnis – Eric Robinson
Zach Werenski – Seth Jones
Vladislav Gavrikov – David Savard
Dean Kukan – Michael Del Zotto
Joonas Korpisalo OR Elvis Merzlikins
Scratches: Alexandre Texier, Scott Harrington, Dean Kukan
Taxi squad: Zac Dalpe, Mikhail Grigorenko, Mikko Lehtonen, Cam Johnson
Injured reserve: Gus Nyquist (shoulder, out 5-6 months as of November), Emil Bemstrom (lower body, out around a week as of March 18), Brandon Dubinsky (wrist, LTIR)
Roster report: The Blue Jackets have used the same lineup for the past four games. Any changes would be confirmed Saturday morning/early afternoon, though Texier was moved from the taxi squad to the active roster Friday. Lehtonen, acquired two weeks ago in a trade, is also expected to join the team in the Motor City.