Match-up - Carolina Hurricanes (2-6-2) @ Columbus Blue Jackets (4-7-0) Road/Home records - 0-5-1 -------------- 2-3-0 TV - FS-CR, FSO Puck drop - 7:00 p.m. ET Last 10 - Hurricanes: 2-6-2 ------------ Blue Jackets: 3-7-0 Projected starting goalies - Cam Ward vs Curtis McElhinney
Projected lines for the Hurricanes via DailyFaceoff.com:
Jiri Tlusty - Eric Staal - Alex Semin Nathan Gerbe - Riley Nash - Elias Lindholm Jeff Skinner - Jay McClemment - Pat Dwyer Chris Terry - Victor Rask - Zach Boychuk
Andrej Sekera - Justin Faulk Tim Gleason - Jay Harrison Ron Hainsey - Brett Bellemore
Injured: Jordan Staal.
Projected lines for the Blue Jackets:
Scott Hartnell - Ryan Johansen - Cam Atkinson Brian Gibbons - Nick Foligno - Jack Skille Matt Calvert - Alex Wennberg - Boone Jenner Marko Dano - Michael Chaput - Jared Boll
Jack Johnson - Fedor Tyutin Dalton Prout - Tim Erixon David Savard - Frederic St. Denis
Injured: Brandon Dubinsky, Nathan Horton, Artem Anisimov, Mark Letestu, James Wisniewski, Ryan Murray, Cody Goloubef, Sergei Bobrovsky.
Game notes:
- After winning the first two games of the season, the Jackets have only won two of their last nine games; in large part due to injuries. Help is on the way, though, as they're getting a pair of bodies back in Boone Jenner and Matt Calvert against a poor Hurricanes team. This is a good opportunity to get back on track.
- It's still very early, obviously, but the Jackets are five points out of the playoffs. It's tough to dig out of big holes late in the season, so it's best to keep things manageable. Their next two games are against the Hurricanes, so this is as good of a chance as any to try and pick up some points.
- Ryan Johansen had five shots and plenty of chances against the Devils, but couldn't get on the scoresheet and had his 10-game point streak snapped. With all the injuries, Johansen's been forced to carry the load offensively even more so than usual. They need him to get back on track quickly.
- Cam Ward is not nearly the goalie he once was and his .885SV% speaks volumes to that. If I'm Columbus, I'm testing him early and often.
- Alex Wennberg seems to be playing with more confidence in his game, and will play point on the power play on top of centering the two returning wingers in Calvert and Jenner. If he wants to remain in the lineup as bodies continue to return he'll need to make the most of opportunities like this.
- Marko Dano has played over 22 minutes in the last two games, but has started 17% and 0% of his shifts in the offensive zone over those two games. It's hard for a kid to produce when he's starting almost all his shifts in the defensive zone, and has Jared Boll on his line. If he's going to be utilized like this, it's probably best to head back to Springfield.
- Brian Gibbons had a pair of assists in his debut with the Jackets. I've said since Day 1 he should play on a nightly basis and is a better alternative than Boll, Corey Tropp, etc. so hopefully he can continue to prove that and force himself into the lineup.
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