Pre-game thoughts: Jackets try to make it 3 in a row against Blues

So its the battle of the blues round 3 tonight. The Jackets have beat the Blues in their first two meetings this season scoring 3-0 shutouts for both contests. Don't look for more of that this game as the Blues are certain to use those shutouts as big time motivation to take it to the Jackets tonight.

Both team are coming off a victories and both see this as a ikey 4 point games int he division

Keys to lighting em up

Every time we face the Blues this year its gonna come down to shutting down the Tkachuk-Boyes-Kariya line. This line starting off very hot and has cooled of late to we can't let them heat it back up.

Play our game. We can't get caught in track meets or come out flat...we've got to play our shutdown hard nosed defense style - no nights off for anyone.

Special teams will be key. Our PK has to stay strong but even more importantly our PP has to start doing something to help out the offense.

Its Al MacInnis night in St. Louis so its gonna be a packed house and the Jackets are gonna have to weather the initial storm as more than likely the Blues lineup is gonna come out with a lot of emotion to win this game in front of a passionate home crowd. Must weather that storm and if they can grab an early lead that will be very key.

Norrena gets the start tonight over Leclaire. Norrena has played okay so far this season but doesn't have the wins to show for it. The team seems to play more confident in front of Leclaire but I suspect Hitch hasn't been thrilled with Leclaire's performances the past few games and wants to give Norrena a look tongiht and follow up with Leclaire against Detroit on Sunday. Its not that Leclaire has played terrible but he has given up some suspect goals when it comes down to it and even if we win, that can't be overlooked. Past regimes and coaching staff would overlook such details.

Should be an interesting one tonight. The law of averages suggest maybe it will be the Blues night but the Jackets seem to play well against this team of late and of course could use the 2 points.

Finally, congrats to Al MacInnis on his entry into the NHL Hall of Fame. For those new fans who never had the pleasure of watching this player he really was something. You can read more about him here.

-LTL