Pre-game thoughts: Jackets take on streaking Stars

The Blue Jackets kick off their 5 game home stand tonight as they take on the streaking Dallas Stars who have won 6 of their past 8 (but have gone 1-2 in their past 3).

The Jackets find themselves with 28 points which is good for 10th in the conference but with a win tonight could find themselves in as high as 5th place in the conference.

Keys to lighting em up

Neutralize Stars special teams. The Stars have the 2nd best power play in the league and the 4th best penalty kill. First order of business for the Jackets is not to take any unnecessary penalties and if they do, their 3rd ranked penalty kill will need to take care of business.

No flat tires. Teams coming off of long road trips tend to come out flat in their first home games. The Jackets cannot afford flat tires - this home stand is to important to their playoff chances. They must come out firing on all cylinders (errr...cannons). No passengers.

Score at even strength. The Jackets' power play has been abysmal recently so they will need to generate quality opportunities at even strength and convert.

Get Nash going. Nash has gone goal less in his past 4 games. In fact he's only got two points in that span. Need to get the monster going tonight. Being the home team Hitch will have last change so he should be able to get some favorable match ups.

Goaltending. Simply put Norrena needs to be better than Turco tonight. Both have similar GAA and Save %.

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Another test tonight. Jackets can gain some solid ground in the standings and have fared well of late versus the Stars (4-1-1 in last six). These two teams do match up well and if you remember the Jackets have some pay back coming versus this team, they completely outplayed the Stars in their last meeting at Nationwide only to give up a goal in the last minute of regulation and go on to lose in a shootout.

**TV ALERT**

For those going to the game don't forget to set your DVRs to Versus as this game will not be televised on Fox Sports Net.

Lets represent on national TV well tonight Jacket faithfull!

See you all at the Rbar for pre-game!

Go Jackets!!

-LTL