Columbus, Ohio - The last time these two teams met (November 21), there were some fireworks at the end of overtime. Well, not so much fireworks as much as it was Dalton Prout setting the tone for future matchups. The recipient of Prout's right-handed punch was none other than Boston Bruins pest Milan Lucic.
"The main focus for myself and the team," said the Bruins' Lucic, "is to come in here and win the game. If there's a score to settle, that's something that needs to be done when the time is right. This isn't boxing where the highlight of the game is whether there's going to be a fight or not."
The Blue Jackets are not worried about what may happen in terms of fighting. Of more concern are the two points that are in the offing pending the outcome of the game. With both teams on the outside looking in on the playoff picture, the physical part of this game looks to ramp up in intensity.
"I think it's going to be a battle," said Scott Hartnell, making his return to the lineup tonight after missing five games with a broken finger. "Every time that we play the Bruins, you know their style of play. They got some good bodies and some big 'D'. If you want to go their net, you've got to pay the price."
Boston is fifth in the Atlantic Division, trailing third place Detroit by six points, and one point behind the Washington Capitals for the second wild card spot. Columbus is sixth in the Metropolitan Division, nine points out of third in the division and the second wild card position.
"We're (both) on the outside looking in," said Todd Richards. "They're ahead of us in the standings and a big game, a big two points, are on the line."
After a four day break for the Blue Jackets, there may be some tired legs as the game goes on. That holds true for the Bruins, as well (three days off), although some would rather have a day of practice prior to getting back into the rigors of the season.
"We don't have a choice, is all I can say," said Boston head coach Claude Julien. "We had to fly-in this morning and play tonight. There's no doubt that we'd like to be here the night before. The guys are not out of shape; might be a little out of sync, but that will catch-up pretty quick."
The Blue Jackets are 5-7-0-4 all-time against the Bruins (3-4-0-2 in Columbus). This has all the hallmarks of becoming a physical, spirited affair between both teams as they play with some desperation and vie for two points and a climb back into the playoff picture.
Bobrovsky out
Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky will not play tonight after becoming ill over the Christmas holiday break.
"He's not feeling well," said head coach Todd Richards. "No temperature, nothing like that. We just think it's more of a stomach issue than anything else. He is not playing tonight."
The team recalled goalie Anton Forsberg from the Springfield Falcons. Forsberg will backup Curtis McElhinney versus the Boston Bruins tonight. McElhinney saw some time in net last Monday after Bobrovsky had been pulled in the 5-1 loss to Nashville.
"He's thrust into the role and we've got to do a good job in front of him as a group of five. The five guys in front have to help him out. We have to be disciplined, track the puck and really check these guys as a group of five."
Blue Jackets (projected) lineup
Forwards: Atkinson / Dubinsky / Calvert
Hartnell / Johansen / Morin
Skille / Wennberg / Foligno
Tropp / Chaput / Boll
Defense: Johnson / Savard
Tyutin / Prout
Wisniewski / Connauton
Goal: McElhinney with Forsberg as back up.
Scratches: Bobrovsky, Leopold, Goloubef
