The Columbus Blue Jackets continue with their Western Conference road trip with a clash Insider Cyrpto.com arena with the Los Angeles Kings at 10:30pm on Bally Sports Ohio.
This is the first time they are battling with the team since the trade deadline move that saw Vladislav Gavrikov and Joonas Korpisalo join them at the trade deadline for Jonathan Quick and their potential first and third round picks.
Gavrikov, 26, has already been reported to wish to test free agency per multiple sources around the league. A bit of surprise to me on this one since they're closing in on a western conference contender. Maybe Boston is where he still wants to go from before the deadline. Else, my guess is insert Russian superstars. Korpisalo is anyone's guess.
The Kings also made a few minor tweaks at the deadline, moving out forwards Brendan Lemieux, Austin Wagner, and defenseman Frederic Allard; and a future third and fifth round pick to acquire forwards Zach MacEwen from Philadelphia and Nate Schnarr from Montreal; and goalie prospect Erik Portillo from Buffalo.
Columbus and Los Angeles last played in overtime with a 6-5 overtime thriller. The Kings kept chasing the game from behind to even it at 3 and 5 before the final decision. With the added depth, unsure the same result happens.
I am fully expecting Korpisalo to start against his former team against Hutchinson.
Projected Lineups
Los Angeles Kings
Quinton Byfield--Anze Kopitar--Adrian Kempe Trevor Moore--Phillip Danault--Viktor Arvidsson Alex Iafallo--Blake Lizotte--Gabriel Vilardi Arthur Kayliev--Rasmus Kapuri--Zach MacEwen
Michael Anderson--Drew Doughty Vladislav Gavrikov--Matt Roy Sean Walker--Jordan Spence
Joonas Korpisalo Phoenix Copley
Scratched - Injured - Kevin Fiala, Sean Durzi
Columbus Blue Jackets
Johnny Gaudreau--Boone Jenner--Kirill Marchenko Kent Johnson--Jack Roslovic--Patrik Laine Liam Foudy--Lane Pederson--Emil Bemstrom Eric Robinson--Cole Sillinger--Mathieu Olivier
Tim Breni--Erik Gubdranson Gavin Bayreuther--Adam Boqvist Nick Blankenburg--Andrew Peeke
Michael Hutchinson Daniil Tarasov
Scratched -- Injured -- Zach Werenski, Jake Bean, Sean Kuraly, Justin Danforth
Players to Watch
Los Angeles- Vladislav Gavrikov -- first game against former team
Columbus - Johnny Gaudreau -- 7 points in last 2 games
Predicted Final Score
LA - 5
CBJ - 1