Winless run in Nashville stands at 10
The Blue Jackets are scaling a ladder they don't want to be climbing.
Just three NHL teams have longer active winless streaks in an opponent's arena than the Jackets have in the Sommet Center. The Jackets are 0-9-1 in their past 10 trips to Nashville.
The last win occurred April 3, 2006, with Pascal Leclaire in goal. They have heard the Predators' goal song, I Like It, I Love It, 36 times since that night.
"We've had a lot of tough games there," captain Rick Nash said.
In a season that has featured many unprecedented achievements, the Blue Jackets believe winning in this den of doom is doable. If not, they'll draw closer to Philadelphia's record for road futility at Detroit (0-14-2).
"They always come out flying at home and playing very aggressive," Nash said. "We have to be ready and match that level."
They certainly aren't anticipating the quiet game the Predators played Tuesday in a 2-1 loss in Nationwide Arena.
"We need to improve on our effort," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "It's one thing to do it at home (where the Jackets won all three games against Nashville this season) and another to do it on the road.
"We're capable of playing better, and if we do that, we can win the hockey game."
Moving up
The Blue Jackets' penalty kill was ranked among the league's bottom third three months ago. At the time, center Michael Peca made a calculated predication.
"We're good enough to finish in the top 10," he said.
The Jackets head into tonight's game ranked 12th at 82.2 percent efficiency. They have allowed three goals in their past 31 times short-handed, spanning seven games.
"A big part of it is obviously (goaltender Steve Mason)," Nash said. "But we're also getting the pucks cleared on the first try and not needing two or three chances."
Injury update
Defenseman Rostislav Klesla will miss at least two games because of an oblique muscle injury. Forward Jason Chimera (groin) practiced yesterday and pronounced himself fit to play. Hitchcock said he will make a decision this morning.
If Chimera, who was activated yesterday, returns to the lineup, Andrew Murray will likely sit.
Slap shots
Center Derick Brassard (shoulder) practiced without the big red cross on his no-contact yellow jersey. "It was too much," Brassard said, smiling. Heading into last night's games, Nashville and Colorado were the only Western Conference teams without a 60-point scorer.
The Blue Jackets are scaling a ladder they don't want to be climbing.
Just three NHL teams have longer active winless streaks in an opponent's arena than the Jackets have in the Sommet Center. The Jackets are 0-9-1 in their past 10 trips to Nashville.
The last win occurred April 3, 2006, with Pascal Leclaire in goal. They have heard the Predators' goal song, I Like It, I Love It, 36 times since that night.
"We've had a lot of tough games there," captain Rick Nash said.
In a season that has featured many unprecedented achievements, the Blue Jackets believe winning in this den of doom is doable. If not, they'll draw closer to Philadelphia's record for road futility at Detroit (0-14-2).
"They always come out flying at home and playing very aggressive," Nash said. "We have to be ready and match that level."
They certainly aren't anticipating the quiet game the Predators played Tuesday in a 2-1 loss in Nationwide Arena.
"We need to improve on our effort," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "It's one thing to do it at home (where the Jackets won all three games against Nashville this season) and another to do it on the road.
"We're capable of playing better, and if we do that, we can win the hockey game."
Moving up
The Blue Jackets' penalty kill was ranked among the league's bottom third three months ago. At the time, center Michael Peca made a calculated predication.
"We're good enough to finish in the top 10," he said.
The Jackets head into tonight's game ranked 12th at 82.2 percent efficiency. They have allowed three goals in their past 31 times short-handed, spanning seven games.
"A big part of it is obviously (goaltender Steve Mason)," Nash said. "But we're also getting the pucks cleared on the first try and not needing two or three chances."
Injury update
Defenseman Rostislav Klesla will miss at least two games because of an oblique muscle injury. Forward Jason Chimera (groin) practiced yesterday and pronounced himself fit to play. Hitchcock said he will make a decision this morning.
If Chimera, who was activated yesterday, returns to the lineup, Andrew Murray will likely sit.
Slap shots
Center Derick Brassard (shoulder) practiced without the big red cross on his no-contact yellow jersey. "It was too much," Brassard said, smiling. Heading into last night's games, Nashville and Colorado were the only Western Conference teams without a 60-point scorer.
