With the Sharks and the Blue Jackets set to face each other on Tuesday night in Columbus, here are the links you need to read before the game:

VLASIC WILL PLAY, WILL WEAR FULL CAGE
Mercury News beat writer David Pollak reports that defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic will be in the lineup tonight, albeit with a full cage to protect his face after taking a puck up high during Sunday's 3-2 loss at Detroit and forward Torrey Mitchell may be out of the lineup.
[ Working the Corners ]

NIEMI TO START, WILL BAD BLOOD BETWEEN TEAMS CONTINUE?
CSN California beat writer Kevin Kurz reports that it will be Antti Niemi in goal and talked with Andrew Desjardins (receiving end of a hit by Dane Byers that resulted in a suspension) and Dan Boyle (near fight with Rick Nash on Jan. 5, fight with Derick Brassard on Jan. 31) about the continued nastiness in the meetings between these two teams.
[ Sharks Talk ]

BLACKWELL NAMED WALTER BROWN AWARD SEMI-FINALIST
Sharks prospect Colin Blackwell (7th round, 194th overall in 2011) was among the 21 Division I players named semi-finalists for the 60th Walter Brown Award on Monday. The award is presented annually to the best American-born college hockey player in New England.
[ USCHO.com ]

COLUMBUS WAITING TO HEAR RIGHT OFFER
Columbus Blue Jackets beat writer Aaron Portzline reports that GM Scott Howson has met with several Eastern Conference GMs inquiring about Rick Nash's services, but the Blue Jackets executive has not yet found the deal he is looking for to move his team captain Rick Nash.
[ Blue Jackets Xtra ]

BEHIND ENEMY LINES
BlueJackets.com writer Rob Mixer reports that defenseman Nikita Nikitin has been actived off injured reserve and will return to the lineup against the Sharks, right wing Jared Boll has been placed on IR, and Steve Mason will get the start in goal.
[ BlueJackets.com ]

SHARKS AND BLUE JACKETS PREVIEW
NHL.com writer Davis Harper previews Tuesday night's game, including trends to watch on both sides of the puck.
[ NHL.com ]