Blue Jackets-Blackhawks: Pregame Thoughts

Tonight is the final game at home before the Jackets hit the road for a 5 game season deciding trip.

The Jackets sit in 10th place, four points out of the final playoff position with, after tonight, having eight of the next nine games on the road. The teams directly ahead of them are Vancouver, Colorado, Calgary & Nashville.

This is a must win game.

Their opponent tonight, the Chicago Blackhawks, are below them in the standings - seven points below them in fact—and are winners of their last game and have gone 4-4-2 in their past eight.

With rookie sensation Jonathan Toews back the Hawks are certainly a dangerous offensive club that will most certainly give the Jackets all the can handle.

Keys to lighting em up

There are no ifs, ands or maybes tonight—the Jackets must do whatever it takes to win. Hit, score, strong defense, timely goaltending–its all needs to come together tonight.

Don't get caught playing Chicago's uptempo offensive game. The Hawks have a lot of firepower up front—Kane, Toews, Sharp and Lang lead the way. Have to play tight defense, especially against the rookies.

Norrena has to play well tonight as Leclaire is out of the lineup sick.

Jared Boll is also out. He's quickly becoming the heart and soul of this squad. Somebody has to step up and fill that role.

SCORE FIRST!

Special teams key. Both teams stink on the PP. The Jackets are ranked 21st while the Hawks are 27th. Whoever wins this game within a game and stay out of the box wins this game.

Game spotlight

Freddy Modin rejoins the Jackets tonight. The Jackets sorely miss him whens he out, let's hope he can help the secondary scoring problems and give the Jackets a much needed boost!

Its now or never time.

GO JACKETS!

-LTL