The Columbus Blue Jackets are back on the road tonight in a tilt with the Buffalo Sabres for the first time this season.
This will be the the first time the Blue Jackets face Eric Robinson in his new home. A few weeks ago, Columbus moved Robinson to Buffalo for a conditional 2025 7th round draft selection, originally acquired from the Nashville Predators for forward Rasmus Asplund.
Columbus and Buffalo faced off twice in the preseason, splitting their games one a price.
The Sabres are coming into tonight off a shutout from the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday. They are also without the services of forwards Jeff Skinner, Jack Quinn, Zemgus Girgensons, and Jordan Greenway. Quinn is expected to make his return but might be a game time decision. If he is in, Ryan Johnson will sub out.
They have been seeing the growing pains in rookie goalie Devon Levi; the young defenseman in slumps; and all star forward Tage Thompson be injured. They will find their groove, really thought they would have been a playoff bubble team this season.
Robinson on the team had added them some fourth line depth and toughness while keeping them over the cap floor.
Columbus lost their game on Saturday at home to the New Jersey Devils highlighted by a Jack Hughes hattrick. Wasn’t able to cover due to personal event.
CBJ PG32 v New Jersey Devils — Hughes Hatty
Period I
Jack Hughes opened the scoring 47 seconds in for his 12th goal of the season from Tyler Toffoli.
Erik Haula extended the lead late in the first for his eighth goal of the season with the assists going to Dawson Mercer and Alexander Holtz.
Period II
Kirill Marchenko cut the shutout hopes on the powerplay 17 seconds in for his 10th goal of the season with the lone assist to Johnny Gaudreau.
Toffoli replied 33 seconds later for his 13th if the season from Jesper Bratt.
Yegor Chinakov got the Blue Jackets into a one goal deficit with his eighth goal of the season. Andrew Peeke and Dmitri Voronkov had the apples.
Hughes got his second of the game on the power play for his 13th of the year from Bratt and Nico Hischer.
Period III
Captain Hischer potted his seventh goal of the season with Bratt getting his third assist.
Alexandre Texier got a goal just before the last minute of the third for his sixth of the campaign. Rookies Adam Fantilli and David Jiricek had the assists.
Hughes got the hat-trick goal on an empty netter for his 14th this year unassisted.
Goalies
Akira Schmid had 23 saves on 26 shots for a 0.885 save percentage.
Daniil Tarasov had 24 saves on 29 shots for a 0.828 save percentage.
CBJ THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Kirill Marchenko — PPG (10)
2. Yegor Chinakov — goal (8)
3. Alexandre Texier — goal (6)
The Blue Jackets are playing the last road game until after the Christmas break. This will provide an interesting opportunity of two if the youngest cores in the league.
Alexandre Texier is a game time decision. Damon Severson is practicing with the club in Buffalo.
Expect Daniil Tarasov v Devon Levi.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Zach Benson—Tage Thompson—Alex Tuch Casey Mittlestadt—Dylan Cozens—JJ Peterka Ryan Johnson—Tyson Jost—Victor Olofsson Eric Robinson—Peyton Krebs—Kyle Okposo
Rasmus Dahlin—Mattias Samuelsson Owen Power—Henri Jokiharju Erik Johnson—Connor Clifton
Devon Levi Ukko-Pekka Lukkonnen
Scratched — Eric Comrie, Ryan Johnson
Injured — Jeff Skinner, Jack Quinn, Zemgus Girgensons, Jordan Greenway
Columbus Blue Jackets
Johnny Gaudreau—Adam Fantilli—Justin Danforth Yegor Chinakov — Dmitri Voronkov—Kirill Marchenko Kent Johnson—Cole Sillinger—Emil Bemstrom Brendan Gaunce—Sean Kuraly—Mathieu Olivier
Zach Werenski—Erik Gudbranson Ivan Provorov—Andrew Peeke David Jiricek—Nick Blankenburg
Daniil Tarasov Elvis Merzlikins
Scratched — Jake Bean, Spencer Martin Injured — Adam Boqvist, Patrik Laine, Jack Roslovic, Boone Jenner, Damon Severson, Alexandre Texier
Players to Watch
Buffalo — Rasmus Dahlin — the Swede is making $11M and is on his way to be a Norris contender.
Columbus — Kent Johnson — great night last time against the Atlantic. Has his stride.
Predicted Final Scores
BUF — 2
CBJ — 3
More to Come…