The Columbus Blue Jackets were expected to challenge for one of the top three spots in the Metropolitan Division in 2015-16 after finishing strong last season, adding Stanley Cup winner Brandon Saad over the summer and not being shorthanded due to injuries as they have been in recent years, but an 0-4 start has raised concerns as the Blue Jackets take on the winless Toronto Maple Leafs at Nationwide Arena on Friday.
The Blue Jackets are suffering from an early season crisis of confidence, which showed by allowing five unanswered Ottawa goals in their 7-3 loss to the Senators on Wednesday night. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has not bailed out his club thus far, allowing a league-worst 18 goals against and woeful .830 save percentage.
Coach Todd Richards is sticking with the Former Vezina Trophy winner on Friday, in spite of Bobrovsky’s admission that he has little confidence in his game and will insert David Clarkson into the lineup for his first contest against his former club since being traded for Nathan Horton last February.
The 31-year-old Mimico, ON native missed the start of the season with back/groin problems and skated with Matt Calvert and former Bruin Gregory Campbell at the morning skate on Friday.
"I don’t regret (my time in Toronto). Clarkson said to TSN's Mark Masters. I got to wear a jersey that I dreamed of as a little boy and for me that’s pretty cool."
The Maple Leafs were expected to struggle early on with Mike Babcock implementing his high effort and tempo style of game and have stumbled out of the gate with losses to Montreal, Detroit and Ottawa, but hope for a different result after spending most of the week practicing at the Mastercard Center.
Babcock continues to tinker with the forwards lines and defensive pairings to find the right combinations and will move around some players again in Columbus.
Forward Shawn Matthias will return to the lineup after missing the Ottawa game with a shoulder injury and will line up with Nazem Kadri and Brad Boyes. Leo Komarov draws in on the top line right wing with James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak, while veteran Joffrey Lupul skated with Daniel Winnik and Nick Spaling.
Dion Phaneuf and Jake Gardiner have been reunited on the top pairing, with Matt Hunwick-Morgan Rielly and Scott Harrington-Roman Polak as the other units.
With weekend back-to-back road games, Babcock indicated on Thursday that they would be split between Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer.
Irrespective of their past records, Reimer will get the start against the Blue Jackets, who he has a 0-3-0 career record and 5.40 GAA against, instead of playing the Penguins with his 4-0-2 career record and .932 save percentage.
Listen to Leafs assistant GM Kyle Dubas being interviewed by Leaf Buzz co-host and CTV's Norman James:
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