The Blue Jackets take the ice in just a few minutes and take on the young offensive guns in the New Jersey Devils in Newark.
The Devils were big game hunters in the summer, adding defenders Dougie Hamilton and Ryan Graves; winger Thomas Tatar; and goaltender Jonathan Bernier. The veteran stars add to the young tools and to veteran coach Lindy Ruff’s arsenal.
Jake Bean is a game time decision for Columbus, but offensively they are going with the same lines. Jonas Korpisalo will start tonight for Columbus. Yegor Chinakov is once again a healthy scratch; and Adam Boqvist remains out day to day.
Projected Lineups
New Jersey Devils
Pavel Zacha—Nico Hischer—Thomas Tatar Andreas Johnsson—Dawson Mercer—Jesper Bratt Yegor Sharangovich—Michael McLeod—Jimmy Vessey Jane Kuokkanen—Frederick Gauthier—Marian Studenic
Ryan Graves—Dougie Hamilton Ty Smith—Damon Severson Jonas Sigenthaler—PK Subban
Scott Wedgewood Jonathan Bernier
Scratched— Christian Jaroos, Mason Geersten Injured— Mackenzie Blackwood, Jack Hughes, Miles Wood
Columbus Blue Jackets
Patrik Laine—Boone Jenner—Jakub Voracek Gregory Hoffman—Jack Roslovic—Oliver Bjorkstrand Gustav Nyqvist—Cole Sillinger—Max Domi Eric Robinson—Sean Kuraly—Alexandre Texier
Zach Werenski—Jake Bean Vladislav Gavrikov—Andrew Peeke Gabriel Carlsson—Scott Harrington
Jonas Korpisalo Elvis Merzlikins
Scratched: Yegor Chinakov, Gavin Bayreuther Injured: Adam Boqvist, Emil Bemstrom, Nate Gerbe
Players to Watch
New Jersey— Dougie Hamilton— the highest paid player from free agency, Hamilton could be poised to win the Norris. Any offense from him can chase Columbus out of the building.
Columbus— Cole Sillinger— tonight is his second game before the ninth game, and it will be make it or break it for the season for the youngest active player currently.
Thoughts?
More to come...