Jackets-Flames preview

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The series

The Blue Jackets are 18-13-0-2 against Calgary, including 5-10-0-1 in Pengrowth Saddledome. This is the second of four meetings this season.
The setup

The Blue Jackets prevailed 2-1 a week ago in Nationwide Arena, playing their most tactically sound game so far this season. Columbus is 1-4-1 in the past six games in Calgary. The Jackets haven't won in regulation in Calgary since March 29, 2003. A special teams showdown awaits: the Blue Jackets have the NHL's top penalty kill, while the Flames power play is No. 2 in the league.

Columbus Blue Jackets at a glance

? Record: 5-1-0

? Power play: 23.8 percent (12th, NHL)

? Penalty kill: 95.8 percent (1st)

? Player to watch: LW Kristian Huselius scored last week against his former club, and has seven points (3-4-7) in seven career games against the Flames.

? Injury update: D Mike Commodore (groin), D Jan Hejda (knee) and LW Fredrik Modin (knee) are out.



Calgary at a glance

? Record: 5-2-1

? Power play: 34.8 percent (2nd)

? Penalty kill: 77.8 percent (16th)

? Player to watch: Former Blue Jackets winger Curtis Glencross has been elevated to the Flames' No. 1 line opposite winger Jarome Iginla.

? Injury update: RW David Moss (lower body) is out.

 

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Burning issues: Blue Jackets at Flames


The Flames (5-2-1) look to avenge a 2-1 loss last week to the Blue Jackets (5-1-0).



Bank on seeing: Flames? fourth-line winger Brandon Prust getting into a tussle. After all, he leads the loop in fighting majors. The Jackets are a rather gentlemanly group, with Rusty Klesla leading the PIM brigade at 12, but the pugnacious Jared Boll seems a likely match.

Flames difference maker: Jarome Iginla, please report to the office! The eerily-silent captain has scored only two goals on 23 shots, and with four paltry points in eight starts hovers one behind Dustin Boyd and one ahead of Brian McGrattan (Brian McGrattan?!). We keep waiting for the Flames? best player to be just that. Will this at last be the night?

Jackets difference maker: On the road, in a hostile building, a team?s goalie usually has to be savior. And reigning Calder Trophy winner Steve Mason, all genuflect, is picking up where he left off last season - a 4-1 record, 2.35 GAA and .925 save percentage.