The Columbus Blue Jackets return to the ice to do battle with rival the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG. The game begins at 7pm from Roots and Bally Sports.
This is their third meeting of the season, and Columbus has lost the first two meetings. The Jackets have been outscored 10-4.
Johnny Gaudreau and Jack Roslovic each have a point and an assist against the Penguins; Kent Johnson and Boone Jenner are the other two goal scorers in the series.
Elvis Merzlikins has been in both games, allowing 10 goals on 73 shots for a 0.863 save percentage.
Pittsburgh is a different roster than when they last met, as they have obtained veteran Nick Bonino; center Mikael Granlund; and defender Dmitry Kulikov.
Forwards Brock McGinn and Teddy Bleuger were moved out in trades; and winger Kasperi Kapanen was Claudine's off waivers.
Pittsburgh is holding onto the second and final wild card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race. They must win to prevent Buffalo, Ottawa, Florida, Detroit, or Washington from catching up behind them, and keeps them close to the New York Islanders.
A Columbus win gets them closer to Chicago and San Jose to surpass the 50 point plateau on the season.
Projected Lineups
Pittsburgh Penguins
Jake Guentzel--Sidney Crosby--Rickard Rakell Jason Zucker--Evgeni Malkin--Bryan Rust Drew O’Connor--Jeff Carter--Mikael Granlund Danton Heinen--Nick Bonino--Josh Archibald
Brian Dumoulin--Kris Letang Marcus Petterson--Jeff Petry Dmitry Kulikov--Jan Rutta
Tristian Jarry Casey DeSmith
Scratched -- Pierre-Oliver Joseph, Chad Ruhwedel Injured -- Ryan Phoeling
Columbus Blue Jackets
Johnny Gaudreau--Boone Jenner--Kirill Marchenko Kent Johnson--Jack Roslovic--Patrik Laine Eric Robinson--Lane Pederson--Mathieu Olivier Liam Foudy--Cole Sillinger--Emil Bemstrom
Gavin Bayreuther--Adam Boqvist Tim Breni--Erik Gudbranson Nick Blankenburg--Andrew Peeke
Elvis Merzlikins Michael Hutchinson
Scratched -- none Injured -- Zach Werenski, Sean Kuraly, Jake Bean, Justin Danforth
Players to Watch
Pittsburgh -- Mikael Granlund -- first time seeing the newcomer in the Easter Conference. Another former Minnesota Wild on the roster, maybe some familiarity between Bonino, Zucker, or Kulikov? He is the perfect middle six forward.
Columbus -- Boone Jenner -- is this the night the first Blue Jackets' skater gets 20 goals ? It's a him v Patrik Laine storyline in the race.
Predicted Final Score
PIT - 5 CBJ - 3