My friend, we're living in transitional times. We're in an age where children are using lingo that older people can't understand. For example, why is Gen Alpha obsessed with "Ohio?" And what's the deal with Skibidi Toilet? My goodness, I'm starting to sound like Jerry Seinfeld.
Speaking of Ohio, that's where the Columbus Blue Jackets hail from. The Vegas Golden Knights will close a three-game homestand on Thursday against the Blue Jackets, who aren't playing like a "Gyatt." They're in the thick of a playoff race, fighting for one of two wild card spots in the Eastern Conference.
In fact, they're tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning with 55 points for the final spot entering Thursday. The only thing is they're on the outside looking in by virtue of a tiebreaker. But Jack Eichel and the Golden Knights are in a different dogfight. They're looking for the Pacific Division title, battling the Edmonton Oilers for the spot. Both teams are tied with 67 points, with Edmonton getting the tiebreaker.
That's why two points will be crucial for both clubs. The Golden Knights and Blue Jackets are looking to further themselves in the Stanley Cup playoff race, no "cap." What should fans watch for as the two teams look to defeat the other for two key points? Let's preview the game before the lingo rots our brains.
What to expect between the Vegas Golden Knights and Columbus Blue Jackets
Part of how the Columbus Blue Jackets have been successful is because of their play at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets have a record of 17-5-3 with a goal differential of +25 this season. Not many people want to mess with the cannon they have there, especially with goal-scorers such as Zach Werenski (16 goals) and Kirill Marchenko (20 goals).
But Thursday's game isn't being played at Nationwide Center. Instead, it's at T-Mobile Arena, where the Golden Knights have a home record of 19-6-2. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets have a road record of 7-14-4, scoring 68 points away from Ohio. Therefore, the advantage automatically goes to the home team, making life easier.
However, there's also the offensive aspect of Columbus that people forget. They've scored 3.30 goals per game this season entering Thursday, good for seventh in the NHL. However, they have a team GAA of 3.34 before their tilt against the Golden Knights. That's good for being tied for 27th in the NHL.
Therefore, the home team must be all gas and no brakes. That means no late-game breakdowns like they had against Dallas. Sure, the Stars are an excellent team. However, letting a player like Wyatt Johnston dictate the game doomed Vegas. They must contain Marchenko and Werenski at all costs, keeping them contained at all times.
That also means the top line continues its dominance. Jack Eichel has scored at least a point in his last seven games. In that span, he's scored five goals and five assists, getting the Golden Knights closer to returning to their winning ways. Throw in a surging Tomas Hertl (10 straight games with at least a point) and the Blue Jackets will be left saying "Skibidi Toilet" by the end of Thursday's game.