Pre-game thoughts: Jackets find themselves 13th in conference, must win game tonight against LA

The struggling Jackets take on the worst team in the NHL tonight in the LA Kings. Its a chance for the Jackets to end their two game skid and climb back in the playoff hunt.

Currently the Jackets, after such a great start in October, find themselves 13th out of 15 teams in the Western Conference. They are five points out of the final playoff position.

Keys to lighting em up

Score first. The Jackets stand a much better chance at winning any game they play if they score first.

Play a full 60 minutes. Need a complete effort from everyone tonight. No passengers.

No overconfidence. Sure the Kings are the worst team in the league and are on a 5 game losing streak but we've been here before and seen the Jackets come out flat and lose to a team they should technically beat.

Powerplay. At this point I'll take just one goal on the PP. If I had to look at one area of the Jackets' game that is single handily to blame for they average play over the past month its the PP's lack of scoring timely goals.

Take advantage of Dustin Brown being out. The Kings' leading scorer, Dustin Brown, who has 16 goals is out and the Jackets need to take advantage of this break.

Find chemistry. Lots of new line combos tonight as the Jackets try to jump start their offense. Would be real nice to get 61 going again.

Goaltending. The Kings have given up the most goals in the league and the Jackets must exploit this. If ever there was a time for the Jackets offense to get back on track, tonight it is. Norrena must also continue to play the way he's been all season -- this is not a night the Jackets can afford a bad performance between the pipes.

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This is about as must win of a game as the Jackets are going to get. This is two points they must absolutely have. They have 5 of 6 home games left in December and if they want to salvage something from this month it must start tonight.

Not to get overly dramatic but a loss tonight could really derail this season as it could snowball in a bad way.

Hopefully you all make it out to the RBar tonight and to the game. I'll be playing in the RBar 3 on 3 tourney for part of the game but hope to pop in for at least a period (thank gawd for DVR!).

Go Jackets!!

-LTL