Blue Jackets Back Alright!
We are back from the lengthy NHL All Star break with a home battle with the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7pm from Nationwide Arena, and then again tomorrow night from Scotibank Arena. This is their first time in the 2022-2023 facing off against one another.
With that, as per usual Columbus reviews done here, let’s review what the Leafs did over the summer.
The goaltender controversy continues to center around the Toronto crease, swapping out Petr Mrazek and Jack Campbell for Ilya Samsonov and Matt Murray. Nicolas Aube-Kubel (now with Washington), Zach Aston-Reese, and Calle Jarnkrok were called to reset a younger bottom six offensive group with the retirement of Jason Spezza and aging out of icons Wayne Simmonds and Kyle Clifford.
The biggest loss away from the crease was Ilya Mikheyev, signing long term with Vancouver. The loss of speed was made up in grit and possession down the lineup.
Defensively, the Leafs swapped Connor Timmins for AHL forward Curtis Douglas; and also added defenders Jordan Been and Carl Dahlstrom. Jake Muzzin’s career is over.
The Leafs are elite, and are a cup contender. In the stacked eastern conference, they’re one of four teams I can see going all the way. Having the roster they have, they are where should be. Only thing missing is a ring.
Columbus is rocking the reverse retro, and hoping to get a win in their first game of the second month.
Projected Lineups
Toronto Maple Leafs
Michael Bunting—John Tavares—Mitch Marner Calle Jarnkrok—Alex Kerfoot—William Nylander Pierre Engvall—David Kampf—Joey Anderson Zach Aston-Reese—Pontus Homberg—Alex Steeves
Morgan Reilly—TJ Brodie Mark Giordano—Justin Holl Rasmus Sandin—Timmothy Liljegren
Ilya Samsonov Joseph Woll
Injured — Auston Matthews, Matt Murray, Jake Muzzin, Nicolas Robertson
Columbus Blue Jackets
Johnny Gaudreau—Boone Jenner—Patrik Laine Kent Johnson—Cole Sillinger—Kirill Marchenko Liam Foudy—Jack Roslovic—Emil Bemstrom Eric Robinson—Sean Kuraly—Mathieu Olivier
Vladislav Gavrikov—Andrew Peeke Tim Breni—Erik Gudbranson Gavin Bayreuther—Adam Boqvist
Joonas Korpisalo Elvis Merzlikins
Scratched — Nick Blankenburg
Injured — Zach Werenski, Jakub Voracek, Jake Bean, Justin Danforth, Yegor Chinakov, Gustav Nyquist
Players to Watch
Toronto (Friday) — Mitch Marner
All star, pure skill player, 60 points in 52 games this season, passer before shooter.
Toronto (Saturday) — William Nylander
Shooting the lights out, should’ve been an All Star. 4 goals in last 5 games and 59 points in 52 games.
Columbus (Friday) — Patrik Laine
1 goal and 5 assists in last 6 games, he is having a strong 2023 start. 15 points in 16 games in the month of January.
Columbus (Saturday) — Vladislav Gavrikov
Trade rumors have had him connected to Toronto
Predicted Final Score
Fri — 5-3 for Leafs
Sat — 3-2 (OT) for Leafs
More to come