Pre-game thoughts: Can the Jackets rebound?

The Jackets square off against the Anaheim Ducks tonight in game 3 of their 5 game home stand. Thus far the Jackets are 1-1-1 only gaining 3 of the possible 6 points at home.

Aaron Portzline pointed out in the dispatch this morning that after a hot 8-3-2 start the Jackets find themselves going 5-8-3 since - that is why this stretch of home games in December is so vitally important to the overall success of their season -- they must get on a roll here.

The defending Cup champions Anaheim Ducks are 14-13-4 and sit one point above the Jackets in the standings. They are a highly penalized team that have given up the 4th worst amount of goals in the conference with 88 goals against. The Jackets in contrast have given up the 5th least amount with 73 goals against.

Keys to lighting em up

Energy. I don't care if the Jackets dress up in bunny suits and roll around slapping symbols together -- they have to be an energized team right from the drop of the puck. Enough of this trying to play this cute kind of game garbage -- hit, pucks to the net, solid defensive plays, ugly goals.

The Ducks are another team the Jackets have had some decent success against in their overall series going 13-11-2 (including a 4-0 shut out win on opening night) and a 2-1 shootout loss in Anaheim this year. The Jackets must get up for these teams and play a full 60 minutes and take the two points.

Shutdown Geztlaf/Perry. Much like I'm sure Anaheim is saying about Nash and Zherdev - the Jackets must keep a tight leash on this dynamic duo. Getzlaf has 33 points in 29gp while Perry lead the team in goals with 15 and 23 point in 31gp.

Powerplay goals would be big. Both teams powerplays are bad. Ducks are ranked 24th while the Jackets are 25th. If either team can get a score here they'll probably win.

Score first. I don't have the numbers on me --- but the Jackets are a helluvalot more successful when they score first. They could use the first one tonight.

Like most games that the Jackets play, Leclaire must be better than his opposition or they are in barny rubble trouble.

Get physical. Anaheim isn't one of these most penalized teams in the NHL for nothing. They are big and physical. The Jackets are as well. Call up Derek MacKenzie is known to be a physical player as well so he should help the Jackets in that department. Jackets need to be ready to play that game and take it to the Ducks.

How about getting Leclaire some goal support. One or two goals a game is not "goal support". I sound like a broken record but would any secondary scoring please stand up tonight?

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Both teams have a 1 game losing streak. Both teams are right in the thick of things. Both teams match up pretty well against one another. Really should be a good matchup and don't be surprised to see some fisticuffs -- even though Boll says he shouldn't fight. Anaheim is a very physical team.

Big two points up for grabs at Nationwide tonight.

Go Jackets!

-LTL