Blue Jackets Set to Test Waters Against Sharks at SAP Center

As the Columbus Blue Jackets prepare to face off against the San Jose Sharks at the SAP Center, fans are cautiously optimistic. The Blue Jackets have had a rollercoaster of performances recently, but there's reason to believe they could turn the tide in their upcoming game.

Looking back at their last encounter with the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 24th, CBJ only managed to put one point on the board compared to Toronto's four. Despite firing 28 shots towards goal and blocking an impressive 20 attempts from their opponents, they fell short in converting opportunities into points – a meager shooting percentage of four percent tells that story.

However, it wasn't all doom and gloom for CBJ. Their goaltender saved 26 out of 30 shots, reflecting a solid save percentage that kept them in contention throughout the game. It's this kind of defensive resilience that will be crucial when they skate onto San Jose’s ice.

The Blue Jackets' performance against Washington Capitals on December 22nd showed similar patterns – strong defensively with a save percentage standing firm at one hundred percent but lacking offensive punch as evidenced by their six percent shooting accuracy despite taking more shots than in their previous game.

But let’s not forget about CBJ’s remarkable nine-point victory over Buffalo Sabres on December 20th. That night saw them hit an astonishing twenty-six percent shooting accuracy from thirty-four shots taken. This shows that when they find their rhythm offensively, they can be a force to be reckoned with.

The key takeaway for CBJ is consistency. They've demonstrated an ability to dominate offensively while also showing lapses that cost them games. Against SJ who will have home-ice advantage and fan support behind them, it's imperative for Columbus Blue Jackets’ offense to step up and match their defensive efforts if they want positive results.

Fans should expect CBJ’s coaching staff to have worked extensively on power plays and penalty kills during practice sessions leading up to this clash – areas where improvement could tip scales in favor of Columbus.

In conclusion, while past games show some weaknesses in converting chances into goals for Columbus Blue Jackets, there is enough evidence of strong defense and occasional offensive brilliance which suggests that if they can find consistency in San Jose, victory is within reach.

The much-anticipated matchup between Columbus Blue Jackets and San Jose Sharks is scheduled for February 18th at SAP Center at San Jose with puck drop set for February 17th at 10:30 PM Eastern Time (7:30 PM local time). Fans eager not to miss any action can tune into ESPN+ nationally or catch local broadcasts on NBCS-CA channel 698 or BSOH channel 660 depending on your location.