The Columbus Blue Jackets are back on the road for the first time since January 30th with a clash with the former Cleveland Monsters’ winning tandem in Ottawa tonight.
Columbus comes in to the first game of four with a Pacific Southwest California trip after this with the usual festivities at the arena this time of year.
This is a good rush of games for the Jackets to get points as these teams have all been struggling throughout the season.
Ottawa has dumped head coach DJ Smith for Jacques Martin and have still gone nowhere fast.
Jakob Chychrun is available. Columbus used to be in on him in the past before they got Denton Mateychuk and David Jiricek. Expect before the final meeting in March that Dominik Kubalik and Vladimir Tarasenko are moved.
They just recently defeated Toronto after a controversial empty net goal from Ridley Greig. Shane Pinto served his suspension and has 7 points in 7 games.
We are getting Anton Forsberg v Daniil Tarasov. This is Forsberg’s first game since January 11.
Projected Lineup
Ottawa Senators
Brady Tkachuk—Josh Norris—Drake Batherson Mathieu Joseph—Tim Stutzle—Claude Giroux Ridly Greig—Shane Pinto—Vladimir Tarasenko Dominik Kubalik—Mark Kastelic—Parker Kelly
Thomas Chabot—Artem Zub Jakob Chychrun—Jacob Bernard-Docker Erik Branstrom—Travis Hamonic
Anton Forsberg Joonas Korpisalo
Injured — Jake Sanderson
Columbus Blue Jackets
Johnny Gaudreau—Boone Jenner—Jack Roslovic Kent Johnson—Dmitri Voronkov—Kirill Marchenko Alexandre Texier—Cole Sillinger—Emil Bemstrom Justin Danforth—Sean Kuraly—Mathieu Olivier
Zach Werenski—Adam Boqvist Ivan Provorov—Damon Severson Jake Bean—Erik Gudbranson
Daniil Tarasov Elvis Merzlikins
Scratched: Andrew Peeke
Injured: Yegor Chinakhov (upper body), Adam Fantilli (leg laceration)
Out- Patrik Laine (NHLA Program)
Players to Watch
Ottawa — Claude Giroux — when is he not a guy to watch? Great veteran leader on a team that needs it.
Columbus — Mathieu Olivier — no Chinakov means more physicality. Let’s see what he brings.
Predicted Final Score
OTT - 1
CBJ - 2