CBJ vs. Wings 3.0

Jackets are up in Detroit tonight to play the Red Wings for the third time this season and their second time this week. Thus far, the teams are 1-1 following a 4-1 loss in Joe Louis Arena in November and a 4-3 victory on Monday. Michael Arace of the Dispatch believes that tonight's game will provide a strong measurement of where the team stands.

The Red Wings will be looking for some revenge against Norrena, who will likely be in goal tonight. With Leclaire still out, Norrena is going to hold down the net for at least a few more days. Foote is also still off the ice, but having Duvie Westcott back helps somewhat.

I'm curious to see who the Wings put in their own net. Their lead tender, Dominik Hasek was given the hook after only 20 minutes of play on Monday night after the Jackets took the score to 3-0 in the first period. Osgood played a fairly strong second and third period, letting only one shot by- granted, the Jackets only took 14 shots in that same amount of time.

In other hockey news, the AP reports that there were three NHL hat tricks last night- the second such occasion this season. Last night's hot scorers were Marco Sturm of Boston, Andrew Brunette of Colorado, and Jason Blake of the Islanders. The Jackets are still waiting on their first hat trick of the season, but it will come. The way the offense has been coming together, I see it in the future of either Rick Nash or Sergei Fedorov.