SETTING THE STAGE: You won't bait the Blue Jackets into saying their next game is anything other than the next game on their schedule. Regardless of opponent, regardless of the situation, regardless of what may be perceived to be at stake.
Is it a measuring stick game for the Blue Jackets? Perhaps, but they're not going there. Coach John Tortorella isn't, either; for them, it's about maintaining their day-by-day approach to this marathon of a season and realizing that this game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, in mid-December, is the 31st of 82 on the regular season slate.
Make no mistake - this sets up to be an exciting, emotional game at Nationwide Arena. Both teams are in the midst of spirited charges up the Metropolitan Division standings, and while the Penguins have been dealing with the New York Rangers in that regard for most of the early going, it's the Blue Jackets who have made up ground in the last two weeks and are closing in on the division's top spot.
The defending Stanley Cup champions come to Columbus following a 7-2 rout of those Rangers on Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena. They bring a high-octane, relentless and speed-driven game no matter where they play, and the Blue Jackets' job will be to match their speed not just offensively, but also defensively and through the neutral zone where Pittsburgh loves to generate its aforementioned attack.
If you're not already planning to be in attendance for this one, make plans. It's going to be fun.
NOTEWORTHY NEWS: The Blue Jackets recalled Oliver Bjorkstrand from Cleveland (AHL) on an emergency basis Friday. Bjorkstrand is with the club as insurance in case Cam Atkinson, who blocked a shot in Tuesday's win over Los Angeles, cannot play. Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to start in goal for Columbus.
PROJECTED CBJ LINEUP:
Saad - Wennberg - Foligno
Jenner - Dubinsky - Atkinson
Calvert - Karlsson - Anderson
Hartnell - Sedlak - Gagner
Werenski - Jones
Johnson - Savard
Murray - Nutivaara
Bobrovsky
