The Blue Jackets conclude a home and home series tonight with the Colorado Avalanche, which will also conclude their only two matchups in the regular season with each other. After this, the Blue Jackets have five days off and not playing any game action.
Columbus is on its heels after learning about the recent injury to winger Patrik Laine, who suffered an oblique strain on Wednesday in the road game with the Avalanche.
With the first crack on the top line, it will be a full readjustment to regenerate offense, as Jenner remains, but gets two new wingers. Captain Jens gets Gus Nyqvist and the leading point scorer, Oliver Bjorkstrand.
Jake Voracek gets his shot with the kids, to generate more goal scoring for them in their young careers. Sillinger will remain with the club and burn his first year of entry level, and he centers with Voracek and Chinakov.
As Chinakov is sliding up, Kevin Stenlund jumps into his first game with the Jackets tonight, with Roslovic and Hoffman remaining together.
The fourth line remains unchanged.
On defense, the pairs are staying the same, with Scott Harrington being the only healthy scratch for his second straight time.
In the goal crease, Elvis Merzlikins gets the go-ahead as the starter tonight.
For the Avalanche, they are getting their reinforcements returning. Andre Burkavosky, Devon Toews, and Mikko Rantanen return to the lineup. Darcy Kuemper gets the start, but they lose Martin Kaut to injury.
Projected Lineups via Daily Faceoff
Colorado Avalanche
Gabriel Landeskog—Nathan MacKinnon—Mikko Rantanen
Andre Burkavosky—Nazem Kadri—Logan O’Connor
Tyson Jost—JT Compher—Kiefer Sherwood
Darren Helm—Jayson Megna—Sampo Ranta
Bowen Byram—Samuel Girard
Jack Johnson—Erik Johnson
Devon Toews—Ryan Murray
Darcy Kuemper
Jonas Johansson
Scratched— Kurtis MacDermid
Injured: Cale Makar,Valeri Nichuskin, Stefan Matteau, Pavel Francouz, Martin Kaut
Columbus Blue Jackets
Gustav Nyqvist—Boone Jenner—Oliver Bjorkstrand
Yegor Chinakov—Cole Sillinger—Jakub Voracek
Gregory Hoffman—Jack Roslovic—Kevin Stenlund
Eric Robinson—Sean Kuraly—Alexandre Texier
Zach Werenski—Jake Bean
Vladislav Gavrikov—Gavin Bayreuther
Gabriel Carlsson—Andrew Peeke
Elvis Merzlikins
Joonas Korpisalo
Scratched—Scott Harrington
Injured— Max Domi, Adam Boqvist, Emil Bemstrom, Nathan Gerbe, Dean Kukan, Patrik Laine
Players to Watch
Colorado — Gabriel Landeskog— as an Olympian and the Captain of the Avalanche, he must lead his team and get them back on the right track sitting at a 0.500 winning percentage.
Columbus— Gustav Nyqvist — he is getting the first crack on the top line with the Laine injury, and he has to get back into the point scoring category to help contribute to the season.
Keys to Success
Top Line— No Laine, but Rantanen is back. That top line is Colorado when together is one of the strongest lines in all of hockey.
Last Change— Larsen and company have to take advantage of the fan reaction and opportunity for line matching with Jared Bednar.
Merzlikins for Veznia— his strong start must continue for there to be two points, let alone one with this dynamic Colorado team.
Thoughts? More to come...
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