The Columbus Blue Jackets commence their third back-to-back nights of game action with two home games against Atlantic Division foes. First on the dock - the Detroit Red Wings.

Having played each other in Traverse City, there is early season history between the clubs.

As for the main roster, there was seismic changes to the roster due to failed expectations under Steve Yzerman.

Journeymen Ryan Murphy and Carter Rowney headed to Europe. Veteran Dan Renouf went to Boston. Mitchell Stephens joined Montreal. Calvin Pickard moved to Edmonton. Thomas Greiss departed to St Louis. Marc Staal migrated to Florida. Riley Braber signed with Dallas. Turner Elson went to the Rangers. Olli Juolevi signed with Anahiem. Jeff Blashill was fired.

Derek Lalonde was hired from Tampa Bay. Ville Husso was acquired via trade from St. Louis. David Perron, Andrew Copp, Dominik Kubalik, Mark Pysyk, Robert Hagg, Matt Luff, Olli Maatta, and Marco Kasper all joined Detroit.

For the Wings, they currently sit first in the wild card with a 8-5-4 record with 20 points.

Parma, Ohio native Alex Nedeljkovic is expected to get the start tonight for the Red Wings.

Dylan Larkin, Andrew Copp, and Zach Werenski were all Michigan Wolverines together during their collegiate years. Kent Johnson and Nick Blankenburg are 2022 recent Wolverines.

For Columbus the team has recalled Billy Sweezey from Cleveland after their recent 7-3 win with David Jiricek’s first career North American goal.

Projected Lineups

Detroit Red Wings

Dominik Kubalik—Dylan Larkin—David Perron
Tyler Bertuzzi—Andrew Copp—Lucas Raymond
Adam Erne—Michael Rasmussen—Oscar Sundqvist
Jonathan Berggren—Joe Veleno—Pius Suter

Ben Chariot—Mortiz Seider
Olli Maatta—Filip Hronek
Jake Walman—Jordan Oesterle

Alex Nedeljkovic
Ville Husso

Scratched —
Injured — Robby Fabbri, Jakub Vrana, Filip Zadina, Matt Luff, Mark Pysyk, Elmer Soderblom, Gustav Lindstrom


Columbus Blue Jackets

Johnny Gaudreau—Boone Jenner—Emil Bemstrom
Yegor Chinakov—Cole Sillinger—Gustav Nyquist
Liam Foudy—Jack Roslovic—Kent Johnson
Eric Robinson—Sean Kuraly—Mathieu Olivier

Vladislav Gavrikov—Marcus Bjork
Jake Christiansen—Erik Gudbranson
Gavin Bayreuther—Andrew Peeke

Joonas Korpisalo
Daniil Tarasov

Scratched — Brendan Gaunce, Billy Sweezey

Injured — Patrik Laine, Zach Werenski, Jakub Voracek, Elvis Merzlikins, Jake Bean, Adam Boqvist, Justin Danforth, Nick Blankenburg,



Players to Watch


Detroit — Dylan Larkin — the Red Wings captain is a pending UFA that has 19 points in 17 games this season, including 4 in his last 4 games. The 26 year old is seeking more than JT Miller on his potential next deal


Columbus — Kent Johnson — the former Wolverine is on a 2 game point streak, and has 8 on the season in 13 games played. The Wolverine factor is always a motivation for selection against the Red Wings, with the Ohio State v Michigan rivalry.

Prediction

Detroit 6-5 OT

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