Game 22 Preview: Blue Jackets @ Avalanche

Passengers. The word has been thrown around several times this season to describe the Avalanche's play. With yet another disappointing outing in which the Avs let a divisional rival take advantage of their non-committal play, the Avs are finding themselves in a difficult position. If the Avs don't find the motivation to keep playing, it's hard to say just how ugly this season will turn out, but if the first quarter of the season is telling, it won't be pretty.

The Avs get a tough matchup against a Columbus team that has put together some strong hockey this season. The Avs managed to beat the Jackets in overtime in Columbus last week where they have been particularly high scoring. The Jackets will look to return the Avs the favor Thursday night at Pepsi Center.

LINES

Bourque-MacKinnon-Rantanen

Grigorenko-Duchene-Comeau

McLeod-Soderberg-Colborne

Martinsen-Mitchell-Iginla

Zadorov-Johnson

Wierchioch-Barrie

Beauchemin-Tyutin

Varlamov

Pickard

NOTES

- The Avs placed Gabriel Landeskog on the IR Wednesday, opening things up for Gabriel Bourque and Samuel Henley to be called up to the big squad. Line-up changes are likely, but still unsure.

- Tyson Barrie was a minus three Tuesday night against the Predators.

- The Blue Jackets had four games with five or more goals in November.

GAME INFO

Game time: 7pm MT

TV: ALT