The Columbus Blue Jackets look to continue their winning streak as they travel to St. Louis for the only time this season. The Blue Jackets have an early 7pm start against the Blues for the second and final time this season.
It will also be the third and final time Columbus sees Jim Montgomery, who the Jackets have bested twice this season.
In the new calendar year, the Blues have won both their games at home; and lost both on the road. St. Louis is on a four game homestand, and started with celebrating the 1,000 game silver stick for veteran defenseman Cam Fowler.
Columbus continues to be red hot with four point per game players, including Luca Del…¨Bel Belluz; Sean Monahan; Kirill Marchenko: and Zach Werenski. The Blue Jackets have Cole Sillinger back after missing the last game with illness; Jack Johnson remains out with Jordan Harris.
Jordan Binnington is expected to get the green light against Elvis Merzlikins.
Keys to Win
1. Hot Kids — the Russian young scorers and prospect recalls from the AHL have come together to form a wagon. 2. Offense from Defense — the Jackets are first in the National with defensive goal scoring. 3. Shut the Scorers — Holloway; Thomas; and Kyrou have led the Blues’ offense, but the Jackets need to shut the doors
Projected Lineups
St. Louie Blues
Brandon Saad -- Robert Thomas -- Pavel Buchnevich Dylan Holloway -- Brayden Schenn -- Jordan Kyrou Jake Neighbours -- Mathieu Joseph -- Zack Bolduc Alexey Toropchenko -- Nathan Walker -- Alexandre Texier
Cam Fowler -- Colton Parayko Philip Broberg -- Justin Faulk Ryan Suter -- Tyler Tucker
Jordan Binnington Joel Hofer
Scratched: Scott Perunovich
Injured: Radek Faksa (lower body), Nick Leddy (lower body), Oskar Sundqvist (illness)
Columbus Blue Jackets
Dmitri Voronkov -- Adam Fantilli -- Kirill Marchenko James van Riemsdyk -- Cole Sillinger -- Kent Johnson Zach Aston-Reese -- Luca Del Bel Belluz -- Mathieu Olivier Mikael Pyyhtia -- Sean Kuraly -- Kevin Labanc
Zach Werenski -- Dante Fabbro Denton Mateychuk -- Ivan Provorov Damon Severson -- Jake Christiansen
Elvis Merzlikins Jet Greaves
Scratched: Jordan Harris, Jack Johnson
Injured: Yegor Chinakhov (upper body), Justin Danforth (lower body), Boone Jenner (shoulder), Erik Gudbranson (shoulder), Jack Johnson (illness)
Players to Watch
St. Louis — Brandon Saad — this could be the last time the Jackets see Saad in a Blues’ jersey as the Pittsburgh native is rumored to be on the block. The winger has 16 points this season with the Blues.
Columbus — Adam Fantilli — the Michigan alumni is one goal away from becoming the seventh Blue Jackets’ skater this season to score 10 goals.
Predicted Final Score
STL - 3
CBJ - 4
Gambling Corner
The Blues are the favorites to win at a -180.
The Blue Jackets are a +150, meaning an extra $50 bucks if you wager $100 for the Columbus victory.