Before the Game
Blues move defender Robert Bortuzzo to the New York Islanders for a 2024 7th round draft pick. The team we played yesterday and now the team today. One less suitcase in the press box. Best of lock to Bortuzzo on the Island.
Tonight…
The Columbus Blue Jackets are back on the ice tonight for the second half of their back to back in an old Central Division matchup against the St. Louis Blues.
This is their first meeting of the regular season, but both teams faced off in the preseason. It was a split result in both games played.
With the games being in September and October, let’s focus on tonight, shall we?
The Blues came out of the gates with a stronger start than most anticipated, but have fallen off with lack of scoring and consistent goaltending since. It had left head coach Craig Berube on the hot seat, and in some gambling corners, a leading contender to be axed.
St. Louis is coming into tonight losers after a 6-3 loss to Vegas; Columbus lost 7-3 to the pissed off Islanders.
The Jackets are in need of consistent winning, not the 0.500 play or a long term losing streak.
Columbus have lost their last three games, with their last win being December 1st against Boston.
Lately they have been suffered by a slew of injuries in every position. The shakeup has been hurting the Blue Jackets; however, rest is coming to the team with most games played in the league.
Expect Greaves v Binnington.
Projected Lineups
St. Louis Blues
Pavel Buchnevich—Robert Thomas—Jake Neighbours Kevin Hayes—Brayden Schenn—Jordan Kyrou Brandon Saad—Oskr Sundqvist—Kasperi Kapanen Alexi Toropchenko—Nikita Alexandrov—Sammy Blias
Nick Leddy—Colton Parayko Torey Krug—Justin Faulk Marco Scandella—Scott Perunovich
Jordan Binnington Joel Hoffer
Columbus Blue Jackets
Johnny Gaudreau—Boone Jenner—Justin Danforth Yegor Chinakov—Dmitri Vokornov—Kirill Marchenko Kent Johnson—Adam Fantilli—Emil Bemstrom Alexandre Texier—Sean Kuraly—Mathieu Olivier
Zach Werenski—Nick Blankenburg Ivan Provorov—Andrew Peeke Jake Bean—David Jiricek
Jet Greaves Spencer Martin
Injured — Damon Severson, Adam Boqvist, Jack Roslovic, Cole Sillinger, Daniil Tarasov, Elvis Merzlikins, Patrik Laine, Erik Gudbranson
Players to Watch
St. Louis — Robert Thomas — leading point scorer and plus leader.
Columbus — Adam Fantilli — 2 goals last night, playing with heart and passion after tragic passing of grandmother.
Predicted Final Score
STL - 5
CBJ - 3