Despite several key injuries and split squad games, the Blue Jackets are 5-1-0 in the preseason thus far.
They'll look to improve on that record tonight when they take on a divisional opponent in the Hurricanes, who have struggled to date (1-3-0).
In large part due to a few key absences, several young players will be given every opportunity to prove their worth and earn a spot on the roster.
That'll be quite evident tonight as Marko Dano and Alex Wennberg, two first rounders from 2013, will be playing in a top-6 role vs Carolina.
Let's take a look at their projected line combos (via Shawn Mitchell):
Scott Hartnell - Artem Anisimov - Marko Dano Matt Calvert - Alex Wennberg - Cam Atkinson Simon Hjalmarsson - Mark Letestu - Nick Foligno Corey Tropp - Michael Chaput - Jared Boll
Jack Johnson - David Savard James Wisniewski - Tim Erixon Fedor Tyutin - Dalton Prout
Sergei Bobrovsky
What to watch:
- Marko Dano and Alex Wennberg have both had impressive preseasons and, as I mentioned above, due to several vacancies in the lineup, they have put themselves in the conversation for roster spots. If they can continue to play well, they'll not only make the team but play an important role on it.
- Michael Chaput has shown the ability to play a 200-foot game throughout camp. If he makes the team he doesn't need to play big minutes to be effective, so that gives him a bit of an edge.
- If Ryan Murray is healthy, only one of Tim Erixon/Dalton Prout will be in the opening night lineup. The next couple games could decide which guy plays.
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