CALGARY – Though their playoff hopes are dashed, the Columbus Blue Jackets can put a dent in the postseason aspirations of another team Sunday night.
The Blue Jackets are set to square off against the Calgary Flames, who currently hold down the 11th spot in the Western Conference. The Flames sit just two points back of the eighth-place San Jose Sharks.
With a win, the Blue Jackets will not only halt a four-game losing skid extended Saturday night by a 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, but can also damper the hopes of a Calgary club that is coming off a 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers Friday.
To be successful, Columbus will need a strong effort from their top line of RJ Umberger, Derick Brassard and Rick Nash. The trio has failed to find the score sheet during their losing skid, with Nash, the Columbus captain, failing to record a point in six straight.
Projected lineup
R.J. Umberger – Derick Brassard – Rick Nash
Vinny Prospal – Mark Letestu – Cam Atkinson
Colton Gillies – Ryan Johansen – Derek Dorsett
Ryan Russell – Darryl Boyce – Jared Boll
Jack Johnson – James Wisniewski
Aaron Johnson – Nikita Nikitin
John Moore – Bret Lebda
Steve Mason
Curtis Sanford