Tale of the Tape30th place Columbus, coached by former Manitoba Moose coach, Scott Arniel, host 8th overall Vancouver. The last time these two played each other, CBJ gave Vancouver eveything it could handle at home two weeks ago, firing 48 shots at Cory Schneider in a
4-1 Vancouver win. Given their poor season, one would think that Scott Arniel's job is in jeopardy. WIth last change, CBJ might have more jump and will hope to get on the scoreboard early against Vancouver.
For its part, Vancouver has plenty of confidence right now, and is playing its best hockey of the season; it is currently 9-1 in the last ten games, and in those nine wins, it outscored its opponents by a wide margin. It has won on the strength of dominant Special Teams play on both ends of the ice, solid goaltending (in spite of the naysayers), and a very opportunistic, attacking, defence. Chris Higgins returned from a staph infection to his foot; haven't heard whether this has gotten any worse. Cody Hodgson suffered concussion-like symptoms from a Nick Foligno hit, but may be allowed to play this game. I thought I heard that Hamhuis also left the game in the third period of the Ottawa game; haven't heard that we won't play so he's likely in for this game.
Updated:
Daniel / Henrik / Bureaux
Higgins / Kesler / Hansen
MayRay / Hodgson / Weise
Lapierre / Malhotra / Sweatt