Preview: Jackets hoping victory against Penguins provides a spark

GAME 59: PENGUINS (28-19-10) AT BLUE JACKETS (29-24-5)
Location:Nationwide Arena, 6 P.M., Sunday
TV:Fox Sports Ohio/Fox Sports Go; NBCSP, TVA Sports
Radio:97.1 FM & BlueJackets.com
On the one hand, there couldn't be a worse time for the two-time defending Pittsburgh Penguins to come rolling into Columbus for the first time since that first-round series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season.
The Penguins, who won that series in five games on their way to hoisting the Cup for a second straight season, are looking for their fifth straight win after defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3 on Saturday at PPG Paints Arena. They've also gotten points in six straight games, have an 8-1-1 record in their past 10 and can take over the top spot in the Metropolitan Division with a win.
The Blue Jackets are in "backs against the wall" mode, with 63 points and sitting just outside the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
"Results are the most important thing when you're in our situation and with the games dwindling," Columbus coach John Tortorella said Saturday, a day after the Blue Jackets lost, 2-1, in overtime to the Philadelphia Flyers. "I do think we'll be ready to play. I do trust our team in the way they assess themselves, as far as what happened [Friday] night. So, we'll get ready to play. I want to get them out of the building here as quickly as possible [Saturday], because I want their energy in that game [Sunday]."

On the other hand, there might not be a better time for the rival Penguins to come waltzing into Nationwide Arena.
Columbus is 3-5-2 in its past 10 games, including 2-5-1 while outshooting the opposition 348-226 in the last eight.
What the Blue Jackets need, and what they're desperately seeking, is a spark to ignite their booster for a final push to secure a playoff spot. A big win against the Penguins, a matchup with no love lost either way, might just do the trick.
It will also be a good litmus test for Tortorella, who wants to see what the Blue Jackets are made of during the upcoming stretch run.
"You have to do it as a group, but you find out [about] the individuals within that group and how they respond to these types of situations," he said. "I can't wait. This is what you are as an athlete. We talk about mental toughness, handling situations, [resilience] … we're going to have it every night for the rest of the year here. I'm anxious to see how some guys handle it."
SERIES RECORD
2017-18 Season: (0-0-2). This is the third of four games. The Blue Jackets, who lost the first two games in shootouts at PPG Paints Arena, will also host the finale April 5 at Nationwide Arena.
All-time (W-L-T-O): 12-15-0-6 overall; 8-5-0-3 in Columbus
WHO'S HOT
Penguins: Evgeni Malkin has scored goals in the past two games and has 17 points (11 goals, six assists) in the last 10 games; defenseman Kris Letang has six points (two goals, four assists) in the past eight games and has scored goals in the last two.
Blue Jackets: Sergei Bobrovsky has allowed just one regulation goal in his past three starts, and has stopped 86 of the 90 shots he's faced overall in those games for a blistering .956 save percentage.
EYES ON: THE PENGUINS
EYES ON: THE BLUE JACKETS
PROJECTED LINEUPS
PENGUINS
Forward lines
Zach Aston-Reese - Sidney Crosby - Conor Sheary
Carl Haglin - Evgeni Malkin - Bryan Rust
Jake Guentzel - Riley Sheahan - Phil Kessel
Dominik Simon - Carter Rowney - Ryan Reaves
Defense pairings
Brian Dumoulin - Kris Letang
Olli Maatta - Matt Hunwick
Ian Cole - Jamie Oleksiak
Goaltenders
Tristan Jarry
Matt Murray
Others: Chad Ruhwedel (upper body), Justin Schultz, Teddy Blueger
Injured reserve:Patric Hornqvist (lower body), Tom Kuhnhackl (lower body)
BLUE JACKETS
Forwards
Artemi Panarin - Pierre-Luc Dubois - Josh Anderson
Oliver Bjorkstrand - Alexander Wennberg - Nick Foligno
Boone Jenner - Brandon Dubinsky - Cam Atkinson
Matt Calvert - Lukas Sedlak - Jussi Jokinen
Defensemen
Zach Werenski - Seth Jones
Jack Johnson - Scott Harrington
Dean Kukan - David Savard
Goaltenders
Sergei Bobrovsky
Joonas Korpisalo