PREVIEW: Blue Jackets host Black Friday matchup against Canucks

BLUE JACKETS (11-6-0) vs. CANUCKS (6-12-2)

The good news is the Blue Jackets were 6-4-0 in those 10 games, thanks in part to an offense that notched 38 goals in that span, plus a perfect 3-0 record in overtime games. But there was a need to get better, as in that 10-game span, the Blue Jackets were 21st in the NHL at 5-on-5 in expected goals allowed per 60 minutes (2.42) and 23rd in high-danger chances allowed per 60 minutes (11.8) per Natural Stat Trick.
But there was definite improvement against the Jets in Wednesday night's win. Of course it's a much smaller sample size, but Natural Stat Trick had the Jackets giving up just 2.13 expected goals per 60 and 7.67 high-danger chances per 60 at 5-on-5 in the victory.
GAMEDAY GUIDE: CBJ lines, arena events and much more for tonight's game
In other words, while Vancouver ended up finishing with 36 shots on goal, many of them were taken from the outside. While goalie Elvis Merzlikins was clearly sharp while earning the shutout, the Blue Jackets did a pretty good job in front of him as well.
"I think whenever you go into a game, you don't want to give up chances in the slot," defenseman Zach Werenski said. "It's the most dangerous area. That's a team that can make you pay when they get chances there. For us, for the most part, we did a good job of keeping them to the outside. And when we didn't, Elvis was there to bail us out and make some big saves.
"Obviously they are a good hockey team and had some chances, but I think for the most part we played to our structure and our game plan and we found a way to win, which is the most important thing."
Add in 16 blocked shots for the Blue Jackets, fifth most on the season, and it was a team effort to keep the Jets off the board. Those sacrifices made by teammates were certainly appreciated by Merzlikins.
"All of us get confidence when we do something right," the goalie said. "The defenseman blocks a shot, he feels more secure himself. Obviously it hurts -- they are not that protected like I am -- but the same for me. If I had a chance to make a big save or a huge save it's more confidence and you feel better and better."

Know the Foe

The Canucks feel like one of the star-crossed franchises in the NHL, having never won a Stanley Cup since the team's inception in 1970. Twice, Vancouver came within one win in 1994 and 2011, only to lose Game 7 of the Final.
Unfortunately for those in the lovely city on the Strait of Georgia, it appears that the franchise is far away from even getting to the point of such heartbreak again. The Canucks have just one playoff appearance in the past seven seasons, and this has been another tough start with Travis Green's team currently sitting seventh in the Pacific Division with just six wins in 20 games.
Thanks in part to dreadful special teams, the squad is being outscored by nearly a goal per game, with the Canucks placing 28th in the league in scoring (2.30 goals per game) and 25th in team defense (3.25 goals allowed). The power play and penalty kill have been the main culprits, with Vancouver 24th in the league on the man advantage (15.9 percent) and in dead last on the penalty kill with a paltry 63.1 percent success rate.
The Canucks have plenty of star power in the form of such names as Ohio native J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes, but the problem has been when it comes to depth. Vancouver has just seven players with more than six points; in contrast, Columbus has 12.
Miller has become one of the most consistent players in the league and is off to another strong start, placing tied for 16th in the league with 19 points thanks to seven goals and 12 assists. Conor Garland, acquired from Arizona in the offseason, has been solid with a 5-9-14 line, while Hughes has matched that with two goals and 12 points from the blue line.
But you could argue the trio of captain Bo Horvat (6-5-11), Pettersson (3-7-10) and Brock Boeser (4-4-8) have each been disappointing, as all have been solid but are being counted on for more. Add in a lack of depth and blue line scoring and it's been hard for the Canucks to score enough goals to be in games.
Thatcher Demko has fully asserted himself as the starter in net, and he has a 6-9-1 record, 3.07 GAA and .906 save percentage in 16 games. Jaroslav Halak is the backup, and he's 0-3-1 with a 2.79 GAA and .903 save percentage.