Pre-game thoughts: Focus on the 2 points at hand

The Foote story is a big one and has dominated the headlines for this game but the bottom line here is that there is a big two points at stake against a conference rival that sits just one point ahead of us in the standings.

Columbus and Colorado each have played 42 games a piece.

Colorado: 22-19-1 = 45 points 8th in West
Columbus: 20-18-4 = 44 points 9th in West

Colorado has won 3 straight while the Jackets have knocked out two in a row.

Pretty easy to see how important this one is tonight as teams look to head into the All Star break on a roll.

KEYS TO LIGHTING EM UP
* The Jackets have won the first two games in this 4 game series this season...in Denver no less. They need to do at home what they did to them on the road which was playing the physical suffocating defensive brand of hockey that is successful for them and take advantage of their weak goaltending.

* Speaking of goaltending, Andrew Raycroft has only lost one of his 10 starts...oddly enough that was against the Jackets as they chased him from the net. Still he is playing better and has a .905 Save% and a 2.57GAA... the Jackets must outwork him.

* Mason just needs to be Mason and keep us in it.

* My biggest worry is the Jackets come out flat... its almost like they are due to lay an egg. I have been waiting for this the last few games and it hasn't happened... which is a trend that absolutely must continue. They are still a depleted team yet even with a full lineup they can't rely on skill -- they must continue to bring their hard hats and go to work.

* Need new hero's. Filatov was the hero last game.. whose it going to be tonight? Everyone in this lineup needs to believe they can be the difference b/c there is no Nash to rely on.... Personally I don't care who scores as long as we score!

* Both teams have top scorers out.. Nash, Brass and Chimera lead the list for the Jackets.. Sakic and Stastny for the Avs. Yet both teams have winning streaks.. that means other people are stepping up.. for the Avs the Jackets have to watch a very hot Wojtec (how bout that first name?) Wolski and of course clear out Ryan Smyth in front of that net as you know he is going to try to knock Mason off his game.

* Both squads have special teams that aren't that special. The Avs are 21st or worse in PK and PP.. the Jackets are 19th on the PK and dead last on the PP. Whomever capitalizes on their special teams will most likely win this tilt.

* Avs are decent on the road w/ a record of 9-11... you better believe they are looking for a little payback after the Jackets stomped them in their last outing... better be prepared from the first whistle CBJ!

GAME SPOTLIGHT
The obvious here would have been Foote but he's in hiding but the Avs may use it as a rallying call. For me I'll be interested to see how Filatov follows up his hatty on Saturday.

The Jackets have 5 more games left until the All Star break. This is the first of the final two home games in that stretch with the final one coming on Friday. If your on the fence lets get out and support these guys!

GO JACKETS!

-LTL