CBJ09

"CARRY THE FLAG"

Columbus, OH • United States • 25 Years Old • Male

Curse Reversed, Right?

The road ahead for the Blue Jackets doesn't get much easier. Following what could have been this year's most disappointing loss (at home to Phoenix), the Jackets pack their bags and head down to Darth Vader's lair. True, the Blue Jackets ended their 12-game losing streak to the Predators in Nationwide Arena on January 12, but playing in Nashville has been an entirely different animal.

Gilbert Brule was recalled from Syracuse of the AHL on Wednesday, after the Blue Jackets traded Jody Shelley to the Sharks. Apparently, the evaluation period for Brule has ended after twelve games. He registered four goals (3 came in one game) and seemed to regain some confidence playing with skilled players like Joakim Lindstrom and a brief stint with Derick Brassard.

Where he will play tonight (if he does) remains to be seen, but let's not act surprised if he ends up on the fourth line.

Pascal Leclaire in goal tonight for the Blue Jackets, and he will be looking to rebound from Tuesday's loss. He was not happy after the game, stating that he needed to make bigger saves in the third period. While I agree with him, most of the blame can be shifted to his defense, who appeared befuddled by the absence of Adam Foote.

Foote is a game-time decision tonight, as he practiced yesterday possibly this morning in Nashville.

No Sergei Fedorov tonight, either. He's yet to take a follow-up test on the exercise bike and may not play until next week sometime.

Expect the lines to be jumbled again tonight-Ken Hitchcock only left one line intact at practice yesterday, and that was the Chimera-Peca-Zherdev line, which consistently generates scoring chances.

I wouldn't be surprised if Nashville puts Dan Ellis in goal tonight, but it's just a gut feeling. Chris Mason had a rough night against the Bruins and may get the night off.


UPDATE 2:30 PM: Fredrik Modin will not play tonight due to a pulled hamstring. He will be replaced by Curtis Glencross on the left wing.


--Rob Mixer
[email][email protected][/email]