GAME DAY: vs. Los Angeles
Jackets in search of fourth straight win, host Kings Thursday night
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Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Los Angeles Kings 
WATCH: FOX Sports Ohio (HD) | LISTEN: 97.1 FM & BlueJackets.com
GAME NOTES
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| The Blue Jackets aren’t going to let the return of a former teammate stand in the way of unfinished business on their schedule. Riding a three-game winning streak for the first time this season, Columbus has the chance to stretch it to four straight wins tonight against the Los Angeles Kings. Just 13 days after completing a trade that brought Jack Johnson to Columbus (and a first-round draft pick) in exchange for Jeff Carter, the latter plays his first game against the Blue Jackets as a member of the Kings tonight.
Los Angeles, like so many teams the Blue Jackets have faced of late, is fighting for a playoff berth but has an opportunity with fewer games played than some competing clubs. This is their 67th game of the season tonight at Nationwide Arena, and as of today, the Kings sit at 74 points in a three-way tie for eighth place in the Western Conference standings. If the season ended today, they would not qualify for the playoffs due to 27 regulation/overtime wins (ROW), which is one short of Colorado’s 28. Needless to say it’s another crucial two points on the line and the Kings need them badly. The Blue Jackets’ improved play is a clear signal to opposing teams that it will not be an easy night for them, and Los Angeles can look no further than Phoenix. The Coyotes led the Pacific Division when they played the Blue Jackets at Jobing.com Arena over the weekend, and after two losses to Columbus in a span of four days, they have fallen out of the division lead and have a one-point buffer on the playoff bar. One thing the Kings have done lately is score goals, and it’s a welcomed sign for head coach Darryl Sutter – who has had to work with the NHL’s worst offense since taking over in December. The Kings have won four of their last five games, out-scoring opponents 18-8 in that stretch. Los Angeles had scored at least four goals in those four victories – and prior to the Carter trade – had tallied just five goals in the previous four contests. Jonathan Quick is expected to start in goal for Los Angeles tonight. He is 8-5-0 with a 2.08 goals-against average in his career against the Blue Jackets.
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