The Columbus Blue Jackets return to the home barn in their first meeting of the season with the Los Angeles Kings. Gametime is at 7pm.
Los Angeles has been on fire through the first quarter of the season, being an offensive powerhouse with rebounding veteran goaltending.
They have been humming, with plenty of depth and strength through some years of patience. The center core of Anze Kopitar, Phillip Danault, newcomer Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Quinton Byfield is legit.
Cam Talbot and Phoenix Copley have been solid throughout the first quarter.
Los Angeles had a few changes to the roster.
IN
Pierre-Luc Dubois was acquired via trade from Winnipeg.
Hayden Hodgson and Kevin Connauton were acquired via trade from Philadelphia.
Cam Talbot and David Rittich signed as goaltending competition.
Andreas Englund, Joe Hicketts, and Steve Santini join as depth defenders.
Trevor Lewis returned.
OUT
Sean Durzi was flipped to Arizona.
Cal Petersen, Sean Walker, Helen Grans, and Ivan Provorov were all moved out in a three team trade with Columbus and Philadelphia.
Lias Andersson signed with Montreal.
Joonas Korpisalo and Zach MacEwen signed with Ottawa.
Nate Thompson retired.
The Kings are on an Eastern road trip, and Columbus is back for the night after being in Boston with the dads. Elvis v Talbot. Dubois and Gavrikov are in town as former Blue Jackets. Gudys is out so Peeke is in. Olivier is the spare forward for Robinson.
Projected Lineups
Los Angeles Kings
Quinton Byfield—Anze Kopitar—Adrian Kempe Kevin Fiala—Phillip Danault—Trevor Moore Carl Grundstrom—Pierre-Luc Dubois—Alex Laferriere Jarrett Anderson-Dolan—Trevor Lewis—Arthur Kayliev
Mikey Anderson—Drew Doughty Vladislav Gavrikov—Matt Roy Andreas Englund—Jordan Spence
Cam Talbot Phoenix Copley
Injured — Viktor Arvidsson, Blake Lizotte
Columbus Blue Jackets
Johnny Gaudreau—Boone Jenner—Justin Danforth Yegor Chinakov—Dmitri Vokornov—Kirill Marchenko Kent Johnson—Adam Fantilli—Patrik Laine Eric Robinson—Sean Kuraly—Alexandre Texier
Zach Werenski—Adam Boqvist Ivan Provorov—Andrew Peeke Jake Bean—David Jiricek
Elvis Merzlikins Spencer Martin
Scratched — Mathieu Olivier Injured — Erik Gudbranson, Cole Sillinger, Damon Severson, Jack Roslovic, Daniil Tarasov
Players to Watch
Los Angeles — the former Jackets — PLD in his first year with LA and Gavrikov in his first full year.
Columbus — the Michigan line — KJ and Fantilli together should be clutch for this team. Great move.
Predicated Final Score
LAK - 5
CBJ - 4