Blue Jackets-Maple Leafs: Columbus at Center of Hockey Universe...for One Night, Anyway

Light the LampFeb 19, 2008

The Columbus Blue Jackets take on the Toronto Maple Leafs for only the sixth time in their existence.

It will be only their fourth time in Toronto—where they've failed to get a win, going 0-2-1 in the prior three.

In fact, the Jackets have only beaten Toronto once (if I recall correctly that was the Tyler Wright hat trick that won it for em).

The question now is what team will show up? I'm not even gonna begin to guess because for all we know the Jackets could come out like world beaters and make us believe, again, that they could be a playoff team. Or, they could fold like a cheap wet tent in hockey's biggest market.

You just can't tell anymore. Its been a different team since the All Star break with absolutely no identity or consistency. Its got to drive coach Ken Hitchcock absolutely insane.

Keys to lighting em up

Play like you did in Detroit and not in St. Louis. Really its that simple.

Take advantage of Toronto's awful special teams. They are ranked 28th in both PP and PK.

One thing Toronto can do better than we can is score goals ( surprise right?). They aren't barn burners but they do have 165 to our 149. Toronto may be bad defensively (3rd worst goal against in entire league) but Columbus' anemic offense can't generate anything and Toronto's does then it could be a long night.

Sundin the key. He's got 60 points in 60 games and typically if a team can contain him, they can contain the Leafs.

Don't get caught up in Toronto media circus. Hockey up there is like the Buckeyes here....tons of media members and lots of attention - even for the away team. Jackets should enjoy it but remember its all business and a big two points up for grabs.

Don't lose physical game. The Jackets got pushed around right from the get go against St. Louis...and proceeded to get beat in every facet of the game. If they play like that again tonight it will be another 'L.'