The Columbus Blue Jackets have been on a streak that should be somewhat familiar to Dallas Stars fans. No, its not beating the Minnesota Wild – although the did post a 5-4 OT win against said team on October 21. OT should be a clue, and the Blue Jackets have gone there in three of their last four games.
Six of the two teams combined fourteen games have gone to extra time – so of course, expect a blowout. Right?
The Stars looked good against the Toronto Maple Leafs in their 4-1 loss on Thursday night. The team generated chances, but just couldn’t finish. Its been a while since Dallas beat Toronto. Maybe the team just has their number.
In any event, over a long season, there are going to be games where a team plays well enough to win, but come up short. Its not like the Stars haven’t won games this season where the won in spite of being outplayed. Learn what you can and move on.
Dallas Stars Lineup
Jason Robertson (21) – Roope Hintz (24) – Joe Pavelski (16)
Jamie Benn (14) – Wyatt Johnston (53) – Evgenii Dadonov (63)
Mason Marchment (27) – Matt Duchene (95) – Tyler Seguin (91)
Craig Smith (15) – Radek Faksa (12) – Ty Dellandrea (10)
Ryan Suter (20) – Miro Heiskanen (4)
Esa Lindell (23) – Nils Lundkvist (5)
Thomas Harley (55) – Jani Hakanpää (2)
Jake Oettinger (29)
Scott Wedgewood (41)
The line blender was out in full force against the Maple Leafs. All lines, in their various configurations, had their chances, but Marchment was the only player to finish – taking a feed from Duchene after jumping off the bench on a change.
Marchment had his best game of the season against Toronto, and it seems like he is being rewarded for his efforts – he’s off the fourth line and back with Seguin and Duchene.
Oettinger is back in net.
Columbus Blue Jackets Lineup
Johnny Gaudreau (13) – Boone Jenner (38) – Jack Roslovic (96)
Alexandre Texier (42) – Adam Fantilli (11) – Emil Bernstrom (52)
Justin Danforth (17) – Cole Sillinger (4) – Kent Johnson (91)
Dmitri Voronkov (10) – Sean Kuraly (7) – Mattieu Olivier (24)
Zachary Werenski (8) – Damon Severson (78)
Ivan Provorov (9) – David Jiricek (55)
Jake Bean (22) – Erik Gudbranson (44)
Elvis Merzlikins (90)
Spencer Martin (30)
You might wonder why a team that was just shut out (2-0 against the New York Islanders on Saturday night) would go back to the well, but such is the state of play in Columbus.
In additional to Johnny Hockey, the Blue Jackets feature a decent number of young, talented forwards. Watcj Fantilli centering the second line, and a third line with Sillinger and Johnson – all recent first round draft picks.
One player the Stars won’t have to worry about is Patrik Laine, who took an unprovoked and suspendable Rasmus Andersson hit on October 20.
Keys to the Game
Get up Early. Teams that have gone up on Columbus in the first period have won. If a team lets them hang around, the Blue Jackets can be dangerous. Not ideal for a Stars team that has a propensity for sleepwalking for the first 20 minutes.
Shutouts. The Blue Jackets haven’t scored a 5×5 goal for over 120 minutes. The team has been shut out twice this season, and they’re rolling out the same lineup put up a goose egg two nights ago. Jake Oettinger is rested and at home.
Back to Opening Night Lines. A $4.5 million cap hit Mason Marchment living up to that contract solves a bunch of lineup questions. Last game, that is what the Stars got. Was that a fluke, or is Marchment finding his game?