November 12

I am going to take a different tact with today's blog. Opinion more than anything else.

I am really impressed more and more with each passing day with Blue Jackets head coach Scott Arniel. He seems to always have a challenge for his hockey club. Take today for instance... coming off of Wednesday's franchise record setting 8-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues, who themselves had won seven straight games prior to the seven goal loss to the Jackets, the mentor offered this to his club and the media, "Just because we had success last game, doesn't mean that tonight's game is going to be easy. We've seen how we handle adversity, bouncing back after bad games. I'm interested tonight to see how we handle success."

He is sending a message to his team I believe looking for that consistency he has spoken of since the start of camp.

On another note, and again its only my opinion, watching today's morning skate I do not expect Rick Nash to play tonight. He was on the ice briefly, skated over to the bench, talked to the trainers, no doubt about his lower body injury, and then left down the runway not to return. It's frankly a smart move! His injury is not serious but taking tonight off it gives him a full week between games to rest, and the Blue Jackets do not play again until next Wednesday night in Los Angeles. That is going to be a good test for the Jackets as they face the top team in the conference as we look at the standings today.

Steve Mason will start for the Blue Jackets, while Peter Budaj makes his seventh straight start for the Avalanche.

Tonight's game is again in HD and begins at 6:30 p.m. with Blue Jackets Live. Game time is 7 p.m. and tonight's telecast is an "All Access Night."

Click here to follow Jeff on Twitter

*Throughout the season, AAA will bring you the Broadcaster's Blog - Rimer's Game Day Ramblings. The Columbus Blue Jackets' television play-by-play man will try to keep you updated on all the season action through his blogs, especially when the Blue Jackets are on the road.