Since we last met the Columbus Blue Jackets…
IN: Scott Howson made aggressive moves via trade and free agency, no doubt feeling the heat. He added Richards BFF Jeff Carter from Philadelphia, James “Bounced Around” Wisniewski, Cody Bass, Alexandre Giroux, Aaron Johnson, Radek Martinek, Vaclav Prospal, Ryan Russell, and goalie Curtis Sanford.
OUT: Jakub Voracek, Mike Blunden, Mike Commodore, Nikita Back-to-Russia Filatov, Mathieu Garon, Jan Hejda, Sami Lepisto, Andrew Murray, and Scottie Upshall.
INJURED: Derek Dorsett (leg), Mark Dekanich (groin), Kristian Huselius (lower body), Radek Martinek (concussion). On the Kings side, they’re still missing Willie Mitchell (groin) and Mike Richards.
Possible lineup:
Prospal-Carter-Nash
Vermette-Brassard-Johansen
Umberger-Pahlsson-Byers
Letestu-MacKenzie-Boll
Tyutin-Nikitin
Methot-Wisniewski
Moore-Clitsome
In Net: Sanford
Kings lineup:Gagne-Kopitar-Brown
Penner-Stoll-Williams
Richardson-Loktionov-Lewis (*I like this line, so it might have a shelf life of one game)
Clifford-Fraser-Westgarth
Scuderi-Doughty
Johnson-Martinez
Drewiske-Greene
Quick
Game outlook: The Kings continue their most awkward road trip ever. Voynov will be watching this one from the sidelines. While he did take two penalties against Boston, I get the feeling that they’d also like to keep rotating Martinez in. I’d certainly take him over Drewiske.
Columbus has struggled along with their goaltending, but are one of those teams that’s better than their record. It remains to be seen whether LA will continue its Backup Goalie Therapy Tour, or start hitting the net the way they should.