:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60526391/162057654.0.0.0.jpg)
Season Series Record, Ducks vs. Blue Jackets: 1-0-0
KNOW THY ENEMY
Record (Points):14-14-7 (35)
Place in Central Division:5th
Place in Western Conference:12th
Who's Hot? Like us (generally), Columbus plays well at home. They are 8-0-3 during their last 11 contests at Nationwide Arena.
Who's Not? Vinny Prospal, until recently. He scored his team-leading 10th goal against Calgary on Friday, after going 11 games without one.
Numbers for Nerds: Sergei Bobrovsky also has an excellent record at home. Even though he's dropped every career start that he's had against the Ducks, he's 7-0-2 with an astounding 0.88 GAA at home this month.
Enemy Dossier: Check out The Cannon for (civil) banter with Blue Jackets fans.
**********
DUCKS PREVIEW
The Ducks' slump seems to be over, and it will be imperative that they keep it that way. We have a history of dominating Columbus, (5-1-1 in our last 7 contests), but they have quite a bit to play for. The Jackets are battling St. Louis for the 8 seed, and this has all the telltale signs of a letdown game. I'm not terribly concerned about chasing Chicago for the top seed in the Western Conference (the seeds will fall where they fall), but the Ducks still need to prove that they haven't peaked too early/are prepared for the postseason.
I'm also glad that Jonas Hiller had a strong game against Chicago on Friday. He will need to show up today - he's 4-0-1 in his last 5 games against the Blue Jackets, with a 2.02 GAA. And as usual, Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf will need to light the lamp. Furthermore, the Ducks will need to keep their composure. Our slump was mired by slow starts, and if Columbus jumps out to an early lead, we can't panic. (But they won't jump out to an early lead, right?) Let's do this! FOWL.