by Aaron Portzline, The Columbus Dispatch , The Columbus Dispatch

Radio: WBNS-AM (1460), WWCD-FM (101.1)

\ The series

The Blue Jackets are 5-5-0-0 against the Thrashers, including 2-3-0-0 in Philips Arena. This is the first of two meetings this season.

\ The setup

The Blue Jackets have won the past two meetings against the Thrashers 2-0. ... The Thrashers are 2-1-0 since captain Ilya Kovalchuk suffered a broken foot, including a 5-4 victory Tuesday in Montreal. ... To the right are the lines used by the Blue Jackets last night against San Jose. \

aportzline@dispatch.com

Box Story: Columbus Blue Jackets at a glance

* Past 10 games: 5-3-2

* Power play: 22.8 percent (11th in the NHL)

* Penalty kill: 79.3 percent (18th)

* Player to watch: Rick Nash had a goal and an assist Nov. 22 against Atlanta.

* Injury update: D Mike Commodore (charley horse), LW Kristian Huselius (undisclosed) and C Derick Brassard (hand), questionable; LW Fredrik Modin (knee), C Andrew Murray (shoulder), out

\ Atlanta Thrashers at a glance

* Past 10 games: 5-4-1

* Power play: 27.5 percent (third)

* Penalty kill: 83.3 percent (eighth)

* Player to watch: G Ondrej Pavelec is fourth in the NHL with a .921 save percentage while the Thrashers wait for Kari Lehtonen to get healthy.

* Injury update: D Ron Hainsey (lower body), LW Rich Peverley (knee), probable; LW Ilya Kovalchuk (foot), D Boris Valabik (ankle), G Lehtonen (back), out

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