Crashing the Net: A reunion and lineup changes for Blue Jackets
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Traditionally, when the Blue Jackets have a sub-par or somewhat lackadaisical game-day morning skate, they have a good game that night.
Ten minutes into practice and in-between drills, head coach Todd Richards raised his voice to tell the guys to practice with a "little bit of pace" as they prepped for tonight's tilt. While the pace increased, there was still a touch of sloppiness to their passing.
"It snaps us into focus a little bit," said Foligno of Richards barking at them. "The morning (skate) is getting loose and getting guys ready. I'm sure that sometimes he just wants the pace to be a little bit better."
"I think it's our job, as players, to make sure that we're ready no matter what. Yes it is part of the coach's job to make sure we're prepared, but it's on us each and every night."
Picking up the pace is something that they'll have to do from the drop of the first puck if they want to keep up with Montreal. That uptempo pace is a part of the Canadiens identity. Combating that speed and more shot attempts are keys to besting Montreal, according to Richards.
"We've got to shoot the puck more," he said. "I think at times, we're looking for the next best play or the next pretty play. Our mentality going out has to be shoot the puck, shoot to create chances, shoot to create some momentum and shoot to break down their coverage."
Although every team is somewhat similar, there are enough little differences that an opposing team can hone in on.
"These guys have good depth," Richards said of the Canadiens. "They've got great speed up front. They've got grinders and they've got physical guys. They've got the skill, the speed and the quickness. So there are a lot of different elements that this team possesses, which makes it difficult."
Tonight is the final game in the season series with the Canadiens. The Blue Jackets have not been blown out by this high-flying Montreal club, dropping the first two decisions by scores of 3-2 and 3-1.
McElhinney gets the nod
Goalie Curtis McElhinney will start in net with Oscar Dansk as his backup against Montreal. Richards did not have a firm date for when injured Sergei Bobrovsky might make his return between the pipes.
"I can't say it's going to be this game or this day," Richards said. "We're just taking it day-by-day, and I think we're getting more aggressive and he's starting to feel more comfortable out on the ice. But he's still not at 100 percent."
Line juggling
Thursday night's game marks the reunion of Nick Foligno and Ryan Johansen on the same line, with rookie Alex Wennberg on the right side. Scott Hartnell will skate with Artem Anisimov and rookie Mark Dano.
"The plan right now," said Richards, "is to keep Wennberg right where he's at... just trying something to get a little more offense. Nicky and Joe have a history of playing together and we like Alex playing on the right side with them."
Foligno is excited to be back playing on a line with Johansen, and he had nothing but good things to say all season about playing with both Dano and Wennberg.
"I love playing with Joe," he said. "There's no secret there. We have some good chemistry. It's just a matter of us both working and doing the things away from the puck that allow us to have success with the puck. I really enjoyed playing with Arty and Marko, but I'm obviously looking forward to getting back with Joe and having a heck of a game."
"They were pretty good for us there," Richards said. "It's just one minor change to try and shake things up a little."
Projected Lines
Forwards: Foligno / Johansen / Wennberg
Calvert / Dubinsky / Atkinson
Hartnell / Anisimov / Dano
Tropp / Letestu / Boll
Defense: Johnson / Savard
Tyutin / Goloubef
Wisniewski / Leopold
Goal: McElhinney backed up by Dansk
Scratch: Connauton due to lower-body injury
