CBJ G45 v Anaheim Ducks -- Toilet Bowl II
The Columbus Blue Jackets return to the ice to do battle with the Anaheim Ducks in their first meeting of the 2022-2023 regular season.
These are two of the worst teams in hockey this year. The Jackets are coming off a back to back with two losses in a row. There is a hope that they jump both the Hawks and the Ducks, and being the final team in the Eastern Conference to get to 30 points. They would be the 30th team if they win to get to 30 points.
The Ducks are rebuilding, and lost Ryan Getzlaf to retirement over the summer. They have John Klingberg on their defense group, gambling on himself on a one year deal. Derek Grant, John Moore, Michael Del Zotto, Kevin Shattenkirk, Dmitry Kulikov, and Anthony Stolarz are also pending UFAs.
They have a bright future with Trevor Zegras, Mason McTavish, and Jamie Drysdale as the core. John Gibson continues to be in the rumor mill.
The Blue Jackets are continuing to find themselves this season, and could right the ship with another struggling team.
Projected Lineups
Anaheim Ducks
Adam Henrique--Mason McTavish--Troy Terry Maxime Comtois--Trevor Zegras--Ryan Strome Frank Vatrano--Sam Carrick--Jakob Slifverberg Max Jones--Jayson Megna--Brett Leason
Can Fowler--Dmitry Kulikov Simon Benoit--John Klingberg Urho Vaakanainen--Kevin Shattenkirk
John Gibson Anthony Stolarz
Scratched -- Nathan Beaulieu, Sam Carrick, Colton White Injured -- Jamie Drysdale, Issac Lundestrom, Derek Grant, John Moore, Justin Kirkland
Columbus Blue Jackets
Johnny Gaudreau--Boone Jenner--Patrik Laine Kirill Marchenko—Cole Sillinger—Gustav Nyquist Kent Johnson—Jack Roslovic—Emil Bemstrom Eric Robinson--Sean Kuraly--Mathieu Olivier
Vladislav Gavrikov--Adam Boqvist Tim Breni--Erik Gudbranson Nick Blankenburg--Andrew Peeke
Elvis Merzlikins Daniil Tarasov
Scratched -- Joonas Korpisalo, Gavin Bayreuther, Liam Foudy
Players to Watch
Anaheim -- Trevor Zegras -- 3 goals and 2 assists in his last 5 games, a Pacific Division All Star snub. A personality and franchise in the making player in Orange County.
Columbus -- Jack Roslovic -- 4 assists in his last 3 games, 5 assists in his last 5. Him with Laine and Gaudreau are finding weird chemistry on an all skill line.
Prediction
CBJ -- 2 ANA -- 1 OT/SO
Thoughts?
Just returning to my humble abode from my winter holiday vacation for the 22/23 month, and figuring out my headspace. Already been a crazy busy year and it’s just getting started. Enough about me, hopefully you had an amazing holiday weekend if you’re in the states. And in other parts of the world, may the week already be a great start.
I will gift you with rumors and notes picked up from over the weekend to keep the selling market transparent and be honest with all of you that are coming through.
Vladislav Gavrikov — EDM, LA, TOR, OTT, MIN — teams looking for defense; Gavy and CBJ talking short term extension around $5M as starting point; nearly double salary.
Gustav Nyquist — contending teams are looking; tied with Barkov last season in SHG.
Joonas Korpiaslo — pending UFA; last year was a second and third round; don’t see that this year.
Gavin Bayreuther — haven’t heard a peep; pending UFA
Alex Nedjelkovic — the Ohio native is now in the AHL after passing on them in the waiver wire.
Erik Karlsson — discussion of landing spot due to high salary, never gonna happen.
Jesse Puljujarvi / EDM Prospects — could be part of Gavrikov or Nyquist deal
Recap on games missed:
CBJ P42 -- Patty Hatty
Patrik Laine's hattrick leads the Columbus Blue Jackets past the Detroit Red Wings, 4-3 in regulation.
Laine opened the scoring with a wicked slap shot for his 10th of the year. Johnny Gaudreau and Jack Roslovic got the helpers.
Vladislav Gavrikov extended the lead for his third goal of the season. It was his first goal that was not an overtime game winning goal. Kent Johnson and Emil Bemstrom have the assists.
Laine scored his second of the period late in the first for his 11th. Roslovic and Nick Blankenburg (my Columbus player to watch) got the apples.
Laine's hattrick concluded the Columbus scoring with an early second period goal for his 12th of the season. Adam Boqvist and Johnny Gaudreau got the final Columbus assists.
Detroit attempted the comeback with 3 third period goals. Oli Mattaa had his fourth of the year from Dominik Kubalik and Dylan Larkin to open the Wings' scoring. Jake Walman's fifth was unassisted. Lucas Raymond, my Detroit player to watch earned his 13th from Filip Hronek and Ben Chariot.
Ville Husso was the Red Wings' starter, stopping 21 of 25 shots for a 0.840 save percentage.
Elvis Merzlikins stopped 25 of 28 shots for a 0.893 save percentage.
CBJ THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Patrik Laine -- hattrick (12)
2. Jack Roslovic -- 2 assists (19)
3. Johnny Gaudreau -- 2 assists (29)
Also, congratulations to Kent Johnson and Nick Blankenburg for getting their NCAA rings for the Big 10 with Michigan.
CBJ P43 -- Ha(la)k the System
Goaltender Jaroslav Halak continues a four game winning streak with the New York Rangers, in a 3-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Mika Zibanejad opened the scoring with his 20th of the season. Kappo Kakko and Adam Fox got the helpers.
Barclay Goodrow got the game winning goal for his 9th of the season; K'Andre Miller and Kakko got the assists.
Vitaly Kravstov extended the Rangers' lead for his third of the year; Filip Chytil and Goodrow registered the final apples for the Rangers.
Andrew Peeke got a late third period goal for his fourth of the season; Gustav Nyquist and Jack Roslovic had the assists for the lone Columbus goal.
Jaroslav Halak saved 24 of 25 shots for a 0.960 save percentage.
Elvis Merzlikins stopped 30 of 33 for a 0.909 save percentage.
CBJ THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Andrew Peeke -- goal (4)
2. Gustav Nyquist -- assist (11)
3. Jack Roslovic -- assist (20)
CBJ P44 -- Two In Two
Two second period goals is all the Nashville Predators needed in a 2-1 victory to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Cody Glass opened the scoring with his fifth of the season; Filip Forsberg and Matt Duchene got the helpers.
Yakov Trenin added to the Predators lead for his 6th of the season. Roman Josi and Tanner Jeannot had the assists.
Gustav Nyquist broke the shutout hopes for his 14th of the season; Emil Bemstrom and Jack Roslovic had the assists.
Kevin Lankinen stopped 39 of 40 shots for a 0.975 save percentage.
Daniil Tarasov stopped 26 of 28 shots for a 0.929 save percentage.
CBJ THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Gustav Nyquist -- goal (14)
2. Emil Bemstrom -- assist (7)
3. Jack Roslovic -- assist (21)
The Columbus Blue Jackets return at home against the Anaheim Ducks for their first meeting of the season.
More to come...
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