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| TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING |
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26-10-2 (54 points) ROSTER / SCHEDULE |
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7:00 P.M. – TUESDAY, APRIL 6 NATIONWIDE ARENA COLUMBUS, OH |
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BALLY SPORTS OHIO FOX SPORTS |
There are just nine home dates left for the Columbus Blue Jackets this season.
At this rate, the 5th Line should hope the Blue Jackets have nine home goals left in them before the end of what is descending into one of the more disappointing seasons in team history.
The Blue Jackets will look to find something to bring the home crowd joy as they return to Nationwide Arena after a road trip that gave Columbus just one win in six games. That win came against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who they'll face Tuesday and Thursday.
The 1-5-0 road trip doomed the hopes for a 5th straight postseason for Columbus, who has also lost seven of their last eight.
Here's a look at tonight's projected (and subject to change) lines for Columbus:
Columbus Blue Jackets Projected Lines
| LW | C | RW | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | Eric Robinson | 16 | Max Domi | 29 | Patrik Laine |
| 28 | Oliver Bjorkstrand | 96 | Jack Roslovic | 13 | Cam Atkinson |
| 38 | Boone Jenner | 42 | Alexandre Texier | 71 | Nick Foligno |
| 26 | Zac Dalpe | 20 | Riley Nash | 25 | Mikhail Grigorenko |
*lines are subject to change
| LD | RD | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Zach Werenski | 3 | Seth Jones |
| 44 | Vladislav Gavrikov | 58 | David Savard |
| 43 | Mikko Lehtonen | 15 | Michael Del Zotto |
| Goalie | Backup | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | Elvis Merzlikins | 70 | Joonas Korpisalo |
Storylines
- FIRST PERIOD WHOAS: The Blue Jackets have not scored more than one goal in the first period since February 15th, a span of 23 games. In fact, they've scored just seven times over those nearly two dozen games. The Blue Jackets have to find a way to put the puck in the net early - if they can't do that, they could be in for a long night against Steven Stamkos and company.
- FIND THE RIGHT COMBINATION: The lineup seems to change on a nightly basis, and once the puck drops, the lineup seems to change on a period-by-period basis, and once the intermission hits, the lineup seems to change on a shift-by-shift basis. The right combination of players has to be there somewhere, but perhaps the right combination has already been found and they just need a little more time to gel together. The line of Eric Robinson, Max Domi, and Patrik Laine has shown some promise.
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PLAYING UP TO THE COMPETITION?: Columbus has points in three of four games against the Lightning this season, and came really close to making that all four games. This team may not be able to hang with the
2001-20022020-2021 Detroit Red Wings, but they've been able to hang with Jon Cooper's squad for the duration of the Lightning's run at or near the top.
