The Columbus Blue Jackets return to the ice for the first time since Tuesday with a home tilt with the St. Louis Blues for the second and final time this season.
The last time they met was October 15, in game number 3 of the season.
Since then, both teams' seasons have spiraled downhill. We know ours.
The Blues sold and moved on from veterans Ryan O'Reilly, Vladimir Tarasenko, Ivan Barbashev; and Nikko Mikkola.
Jakub Vrana, Kasperi Kapanen, and Sammy Blais are the three main roster pieces to come back and help the team now. Other prospects and players added include Adam Gaudette, Rodin Amirov, Hunter Skinner, Zach Dean, and a plethora of draft picks in the next three drafts.
The Blues have hit the "reset" where the Jackets have hit then "oops" on the season.
With the lineups tonight, the Blues are rolling with their post deadline changes and working toward next season.
Columbus is beginning life without Elvis Merzlikins, and potentially for the season. Elvis has gone home to be with his ailing grandmother as she is in her biggest battle. Prayers to Merzlikins, his family, and the organization at this time and going forward through this time.
On the ice, Michael Hutchinson gets the go v St Louis.
Projected Lineups
St Louis Blues
Alexi Toropchenko--Robert Thomas--Jordan Kyrou Jakub Vrana--Pavel Buchnevich--Kasperi Kapanen Brandon Saad--Brayden Schenn--Sammy Blais Nathan Walker--Nikita Alexandrov--Josh Levio
Nick Leddy--Colton Parayko Marco Scandella--Justin Faulk Torey Krug--Calle Rosen
Jordan Binnington Thomas Greiss
Injured -- Jake Neighbours
Columbus Blue Jackets
Johnny Gaudreau--Boone Jenner--Patrik Line Kent Johnson--Jack Roslovic--Emil Bemstrom Liam Foudy--Lane Pederson--Kirill Marchenko Eric Robinson--Cole Sillinger--Mathieu Olivier
Tim Breni--Erik Gudbranson Gavin Bayreuther--Adam Boqvist Nick Blankenburg--Andrew Peeke
Michael Hutchinson Daniil Tarasov
Scratched -- Elvis Merzlikins Injured -- Zach Werenski, Jake Bean, Justin Danforth, Sean Kuraly
Players to Watch
St Louis -- Brandon Saad -- the former CBJ is the easy choice
Columbus -- Johnny Gaudreau -- another western foe means more points
Predicted Final Score
STL - 4 CBJ - 3 OT/SO