Game 28 Preview - Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning - 12/3/2013

The Opponent:

The Blue Jackets will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at Nationwide Arena.  This is the first meeting of the season between the clubs who are now intra-conference rivals.  The Lightning had been atop the Eastern Conference prior to a recent run of bad form, and are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games.  That said, they are 16-9-1 overall and have 33 points.  The teams last faced each other on January 24, 2012 at the Lightning, who won 4-2.  They last played in Columbus on December 17, 2011, and the Lightning won that game 3-2.  The Jackets last beat the Lightning on March 30, 2010, also by a 3-2 score in Columbus.  The Jackets are 4-6-3 all-time against the Lightning.  The Lightning are led in scoring by Martin St. Louis with 24 points (10 G, 14 A) and in goals by the currently-injured Steven Stamkos (14 goals). Ben Bishop, the Lightning's 6'7" goaltender, will get the start in net for the visitors.

The Blue Jackets:

The Blue Jackets are coming off a "Team Hyde" game at TD Garden against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.  They managed a paltry 14 shots on goal on were fortunate to get one goal from Ryan Johansen to avoid a shutout in the 3-1 final.  Johansen leads the Jackets in scoring and goals (10 G, 9 A, 19 pts.).  One positive for the Blue Jackets heading into this game is the return of Brandon Dubinsky.  This should help add some spark and heart to the lineup, which the team needs badly.  Sergei Bobrovsky is slated to start in net for the Jackets.  The forward lines, as provided by bluejackets.nhl.com:

Foligno-Johansen-Umberger
Calvert-Dubinsky-Comeau
Jenner-Anisimov-Atkinson
Skille-Letestu-Tropp

Defensive pairings are expected to be the same as they were in Boston.

The Prediction:

The Jackets are getting the Lightning at a good time.  Steven Stamkos is out, the team has been on a cold run, and they were shut out in their last game against Pittsburgh.  Getting Brandon Dubinsky back tonight is a huge help, and hopefully they can count on scoring and offensive effort from the entire lineup.  On top of that, if the recent pattern holds, it's the night "Team Jekyll" should emerge.

Blue Jackets win, 5-2