Pre-game thoughts: No mercy!

We do not train to be merciful here. Mercy is for the weak. Here, in the streets, in competition: A man confronts you, he is the enemy. An enemy deserves no mercy.

On yeah. I'm breaking out the Karate Kid quotes for this one!!

The Jackets get their first chance to sweep the Colorado Avalanche in a season series. Its "no mercy" time.

Seriously though, how sweet would that be if the Jackets swept these guys? Oh the karma that would bring down is uncontainable.

..but no so fast Daniel-son.

First learn stand, then learn fly. Nature rule, Daniel-son, not mine.

Sweeps... Footes... sticking it to the guy who stuck it to the Jackets... none of that really matters.... even though I'm the first to admit its fun to talk about.

The main focus tonight is for the Jackets to bring that workmanlike effort against a team below them in the standings. To play within the foundation Hitch has built. To play the "hard way". This is the type of game the Jackets have struggled with all season.

They can't come out flat... they can't give up soft goals... they can't worry about Footes or sweeps. They can't take this Avalanche team who certainly will bring everything they've got for granted.

KEYS TO LIGHTING EM UP!
* LaCosta must make the stops he should. We've seen how this team deflates when they aren't confident in their goaltender. The Jackets need a repeat of Saturday's performance from the rookie.

* Avalanche are a small soft team. The Jackets have beat this squad with their size and physical play. No reason to deter from that formula.

* The Avs have given up 163 goals against.. which is good for 4th most in the conference. This team can be scored on but the Jackets, as always, must work for those goals... pay the price... get physical down low.. win the battles in front of the cage.. get to loose pucks and rebounds.

* For those Jackets that remember getting beat up over the years by this squad... let me just say its payback time! Do not let this squad up off the matt.. STRIKE FIRST. STRIKE HARD. NO MERCY SIR.

* Special teams.. both squads have below average special teams. The Jackets are one spot better than the Avs on the PK (19th). The Avalanche are 5 spots better on the PP (25th). For the Jackets its the same ole story.. if they can get a timely PP goal I really like their chances.

* Support LaCosta... clear those rebounds.. clear those bodies in front of the nets.. block those shots.

* No posts.. Modin score. No Huselius turnovers. Tollefsen make an outlet pass. Torres needs a dirty goal. Chimera keep improving and get that early season confidence back.

* Watch the let down. Need the legs early and often tonight. Its game like these that we have a chance on paper that always seem to disappoint. Need another big win at home here.

GAME SPOTLIGHT
Key an eye out for the original BHG (Blue Hair Guy). He will be the R Bar's representative in a chance to win a trip to Toronto at one of the intermissions tonight.

Another day yet another playoff type game for the Jackets. Remember though:

Man who catch fly with chopstick accomplish anything.

-LTL