PREVIEW: Blue Jackets, Penguins ready for Sunday night clash
Columbus tries to get back in the win column against Pittsburgh in Nationwide Arena
After nine wins in 11 games, seven victories in eight and four straight victories, Columbus ran out of energy in Carolina. Facing one of the top pressuring teams in the NHL just 24 hours after a physical, gutty victory against another top team in Florida, Columbus dropped a 4-0 decision against the Hurricanes.
"You could see it," head coach Brad Larsen said. "It's not a business of excuses, but I was really worried about tonight's energy just because of how intense the game was (last night in Florida). This is the end of four in six, which would be hard anyway, and on a back-to-back. They're rested and they're a top-three team and all that.
"But as much as we invested in that game last night, physically and emotionally, that was the big worry."
GAMEDAY GUIDE: Larsen expects fans to give CBJ a lift tonight
In the grand scheme of things, it happens, but the Blue Jackets can still hang their hat on the hockey they've played over the past month. A one-off loss at a difficult point in the schedule is nothing to be alarmed about as the Jackets try to work their way back into the Eastern Conference playoff race, but the goal now has to be to get it back to the energetic, physical game the team has played in past weeks that has led to success.
"We have played some good hockey over a long stretch here," Larsen said. "It wasn't just one, two games and we fell back. I think how we're trying to play, they're starting to feel it and the type of intensity that is required, the competitiveness. That allows us to be in these games, and when we do those things, we find our offense from them. We get guys that are involved and mentally attached to the game.
"This game (at Carolina) is done. I'm not looking at this tape. Coaches aren't allowed to look at the tape. I'm sure the players will be done with it. They're the first ones to move by it. It is what it is, and now we have to get ready for Sunday."
Energy shouldn't be an issue tonight in the return to Nationwide Arena, as the Blue Jackets will play one of their traditional rivals in Pittsburgh. Games against the Penguins tend to be full of bite, and the Jackets spent Saturday off with an eye on refilling the tanks to be ready for this one.
The goal is to get back to the team's recent game, which has included standout performances from the team's leaders, brilliance from Patrik Laine during an 11-game point streak, and contributions from up and down the lineup.
"Tomorrow is a new day, and we have to be ready for the next one," defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov said.
Know the Foe
Rumors of the Penguins' demise as one of the most consistent franchises in sports has gotten older have proved to be great exaggerated. Even with a spate of injuries that have cost such stars as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jake Guentzel and Kris Letang extended time, Pittsburgh places sixth in the NHL in points and is on track to make a 16th consecutive playoff berth in third place in the Metropolitan Division.
For a team that has been known for its ability to score in bunches over the years behind those talented players above, it's defense that has largely led the way this season. Behind the All-Star goaltending of Tristan Jarry, Mike Sullivan's team is fourth in the NHL in team defense (2.61 allowed per game) and ties for third in penalty kill at 85.7 percent.
Offense hasn't really been a problem, though, either. It's still a team that can fill up the net, as Pittsburgh places 11th in the NHL with 3.20 goals per game and also has a power play that converts at 22.0 percent, good for 11th in the NHL.
While the Penguins' injuries have kept any of their big guns from reaching the top of the scoring charts, there's been no shortage of weapons for the team. Guentzel leads the way on the season, as the 27-year-old has become a bona fide superstar with a 25-27-52 line in 48 games. Crosby has missed 12 games on the year but is still second on the squad in scoring with 49 points (15 goals, 34 assists), while Letang is tied for sixth in the NHL and second among league defensemen with 41 assists (six goals, 47 points overall).
Bryan Rust is having a big season with an 18-22-40 line in 31 games, while Evan Rodrigues has a career-high 16 goals and 34 points, Jeff Carter has 13 goals, Danton Heinen adds 11 tallies and Brock McGinn has 10 goals. Malkin has played in just 18 games but has an 8-11-19 line.
In net, Jarry was in Vegas representing the squad thanks to a bounceback season that includes a 26-11-6 record, 2.33 GAA and .921 save percentage. Backup Casey DeSmith has struggled at times, going 5-3-2 but with a 3.08 GAA and .899 save percentage.
