The Columbus Blue Jackets begin their Southern California road trip with a dip in the shark tank against the San Jose Sharks.

Columbus and San Jose last played on January 21, 2023, inside Nationwide Arena. Columbus defeated San Jose 5-3. From the game, the only healthy goal scorers remaining in the lineup are the top three scorers: Johnny Gaudreau, Boone Jenner, and Patrik Laine.

San Jose's only goal scorer left from this game is Nico Sturm. The Sharks sold heavily at this last trade deadline.

Defender Jaycob Megna was moved to Seattle for a future draft pick.

Matt Nieto and Ryan Merkley were moved to Colorado for Martin Kaut and Jacob MacDonald.

Vladislav Namestinkov was moved in a three team deal through San Jose to Winnipeg, moving Michael Eyssimont to Tampa Bay, and a draft pick to the tank.

Timo Meier and former Jackets' defenseman Scott Harrington were part of a 13 piece trade with the New Jersey Devils.

Nick Bonino was moved in a three team deal with salary retained to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

This is the first game against the Sharks on Saturday, with a 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild. Columbus last lost to the St. Louis Blues the same score the same evening.

In regard to the lineup, expect the same lineup as Saturday night.

Projected Lineups

San Jose Sharks

William Eklund--Tomas Hertl--Fabian Zetterlund
Andreas Johnsson--Logan Couture--Alexander Barbanov
Noah Gregor--Nico Sturm--Evgney Svechinkov
Oskar Lindblom--Steven Lorentz--Kevin LaBanc

Nikolai Knyzhov--Erik Karlsson
Marc-Edouard Vlasic--Matt Benning
Mario Ferraro--Derrick Pouliot

Kappo Kahkonen
James Reimer

Scratched -

Injured - Luke Kunin, Markus Nutivarra, Radim Simek, Jacob MacDonald, Jonah Gadjovich

Columbus Blue Jackets

Johnny Gaudreau--Boone Jenner--Kirill Marchenko
Kent Johnson--Jack Roslovic--Patrik Laine
Liam Foudy--Lane Pederson--Emil Bemstrom
Eric Robinson--Cole Sillinger--Mathieu Olivier

Tim Breni--Erik Gubdranson
Gavin Bayreuther--Adam Boqvist
Nick Blankenburg--Andrew Peeke

Michael Hutchinson
Daniil Tarasov

Scratched --
Injured -- Zach Werenski, Jake Bean, Sean Kuraly, Justin Danforth

Players to Watch

San Jose - Erik Karlsson -- the highest scoring defenseman this season has already surpassed his career high at 84 points on the season.

Columbus - Lane Pederson -- the former San Jose Sharks forward has been meshing with his linemates of Foudy and Bemstrom as of late. The other night against Pittsburgh, the third line each had goals and were all plus. Pederson also leads the club in plus/minus at +2 in the few games he has been with the franchise.


Predicted Final Score

SJS - 2

CBJ - 3

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