The Columbus Blue Jackets return to the TD Garden for a Thursday night tilt with the Boston Bruins. Puck drop is at 7pm from Bally Sports and NESEN.

This is the first time these teams have met since December, and Boston got much stronger since then.

Looking to clinch the President's Trophy as league's best team, Boston went out and acquired winger Garnet Hathaway, center Andrei Svetlakov, and defender Dmitry Orlov in a three team trade with Minnesota and Washington. Goaltender Keith Kinkaid was dealt to Colorado for forward Shane Bowers. Winger Tyler Bertuzzi was acquired from Detroit after the recent injury announcements. Mostly futures were given up to the weaker and calling teams in the deals.

The Bruins continue to be one of strongest teams in hockey, and are the only team without 15 regulation losses remaining. At the time of writing, they are the only team to have already clinched their division. They are also the only club with a goal differential of three digits.

Columbus is riding with the same roster despite some of the injury players being back around the team. Werenski is with on the travels of this trip.

Mathieu Olivier's timetable is uncertain. Elvis Merzlikins is questionable. Erik Gudbranson is done.

In terms of players old face in that place, the only active former Blue Jackets on the Bruins roster is Nick Foligno; however, he is injured and will not be in the game. Mike Reilly and Anton Stralman is in the minors.

On the other side, Sean Kuraly and Michael Hutchinson have both dawned the spoked B. AlsoC Massachusetts native Billy Sweezey is in against his hometown team.

For the lineups, I'm expecting a Hutch and Ullmark goalie duel.

If Columbus wins in regulation, and both San Jose and Chicago lose in regulation, Columbus moves to 30th.

If Columbus earns a point, and Chicago loses in regulation, then the Jackets go to 31st.

If Columbus loses on regulation, they remain 32nd. Additionally, Boston will receive the Presidents Trophy.

If Boston earns one point , and Carolina earns a point, Boston will also win the Trophy.

If Carolina wins and Boston loses in regulation, the trophy is not awarded tonight.

Projected Lineups

Boston Bruins

Brad Marchand—Patrice Bergeron—Jake DeBrusk
Pavel Zacha—David Krejci—David Pasternak
Tyler Bertuzzi—Charlie Coyle—Trent Frederic
AJ Greer—Tomas Nosek—Garnet Hathaway

Dmitry Orlov—Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm—Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelyck—Connor Clifton

Linus Ullmark
Jermey Swayman

Scratched — Jakub Zboril, Oskar Steen, Jakub Lauko
Injured — Nick Foligno, Taylor Hall, Derek Forbort

Columbus Blue Jackets

Johnny Gaudreau—Boone Jenner—Kirill Marchenko
Liam Foudy—Jack Roslovic—Kent Johnson
Lane Pederson—Hunter McKown—Emil Bemstrom
Eric Robinson—Sean Kuraly—Trey Fix-Wolansky

Gavin Bayreuther—Adam Boqvist
Tim Breni—Andrew Peeke
Jake Christiansen—Billy Sweezey

Michael Hutchinson
Jon Gillies

Injured - Zach Werenski, Justin Danforth, Jake Bean, Erik Gudbranson, Mathieu Olivier, Elvis Merzlikins


Players to Watch

Boston — Dmitry Orlov — one of the two biggest deadline acquisitions, the former Caps’ defender is a steady Ironman on the B’s since his arrival. 13 points in 16 games around 22 minutes a night is very good production for the one time cup winner.

Columbus — Billy Sweezey — the Mass native is pointless in two NHL games, hometown rub may be more motivational for the defender.

Predicted Final Score

BOS - 7
CBJ - 2

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