The Columbus Blue Jackets conclude their five game road trip of makeup games in the Windy City against Seth Jones and the Chicago Blackhawks. This is Jones’ first time against Columbus as a member of the Hawks, having one goal in 5 career games as a Predator the last time he played against the Jackets.
Jones missed the first meeting of the season, where Chicago won at Nationwide Arena. Alex DeBricant, the Hawks All Star, had two goals in that contest. The Blackhawks have massively underperformed this season, and are preparing to sell hardcore at the deadline.
External sources are writing that Dylan Strome and Brandon Hagel could be had on offense as RFAs; while veterans Ryan Carpenter, Sam Laffrety, and Kurtis Gabriel have been kept under the radar. On defense, they’ve made Calvin De Hann had for the right price. Expect Erik Gustaffson to go. Between the pipes, Fleury is being shipped for a first; but nothing on Lankianen and Delia, which was their duo last season.
Columbus is keeping their same lineup as they have the entire road trip. Elvis stays in with the same 18 skaters in front of him. This could push Columbus to an over 0.500 winning percentage, after returning there after their last matchup to the Flames.
Projected Lineups
Chicago Blackhawks
Brandon Hagel—Dylan Strome—Patrick Kane Alex DeBricant—Kirby Dach—MacKenzie Entwistle Dominik Kubalik—Josh Slavin—Sam Lafferty Phillip Kurashev—Ryan Carpenter—Brett Connolly
Calvin De Haan—Seth Jones Caleb Jones—Connor Murphy Jake McCabe—Erik Gustaffson
Arvid Soderblom Marc-Andre Fleury
Scratched: Alec Regula, Henrik Borgstrom Injured— Jujar Khaira, Jonathan Toews, Resse Johnson, Kevin Lankianen, Tyler Johnson, Riley Stillman
Columbus Blue Jackets
Patrik Laine—Boone Jenner—Oliver Bjorkstrand Jakub Voracek—Cole Sillinger—Yegor Chinakov Gustav Nyquist—Sean Kuraly—Max Domi Brendan Gaunce—Jack Roslovic—Trey Fix-Wolansky
Zach Werenski—Andrew Peeke Vladislav Gavrikov—Adam Boqvist Gavin Bayreuther—Dean Kukan
Elvis Merzlikins Jean-Francois Berube
Scratched—Gabriel Carlsson, Carson Meyer Injured— Joonas Korpisalo, Nathan Gerbe, Eric Robinson, Alexandre Texier, Jake Bean, Daniil Tarasov, Justin Danforth, Emil Bemstrom
Players to Watch
Chicago— Seth Jones. Finally playing his former team of 6 years, it’ll be a sight to see him compete against his former partner in Werenski on the ice and in time on ice. Jones is more offensive, where Werenski is more defensive.
Columbus— Adam Boqvist— his first time in his old barn against the team that drafted him. We will see if there’s a tribute. Could get his 10th of the season, being the first defenseman to do it this season in the Union Blue.
Who won the trade? More to come…