Game Preview: Columbus Set For First Action In Two Weeks As Blue Jackets Welcome Predators

NASHVILLE PREDATORS

19–11–1 (25 points; .629%) ROSTER / SCHEDULE

7:00 P.M. – THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30 NATIONWIDE ARENA COLUMBUS, OH

BALLY SPORTS OHIO ESPN+ (Out of Market)

We're back!

The Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators meet at Nationwide Arena on Thursday in what will be the Blue Jackets' first game since a 5-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers all the way back on December 16th.

Columbus saw a total of five games postponed as a result of the omicron variant of COVID-19. A sixth game, originally set for January 10th in Montreal, has also been postponed due to travel restrictions between the United States and Canada.

The game will also be their first on home ice since December 9th, when they lost to the Anaheim Ducks in a shootout.

A total of eight Blue Jackets have been placed in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol in the last two weeks, with some having returned to the ice. Oliver Bjorkstrand and Gavin Bayreuther were placed into the protocol this week and will not be available. Joonas Korpisalo and Eric Robinson, who tested positive at the beginning of last week, have not yet returned to practice. Andrew Peeke, Boone Jenner, Gabriel Carlsson, and Jack Roslovic have all returned to practice after clearing the league's protocol and are expected to play Thursday.

RE: NASHVILLE

One of the hottest teams in the league prior to the extended holiday break, the Predators had won seven straight games before falling 5-3 to the Washington Capitals on the road Wednesday — their first game in 12 days. 

It was just Nashville's second loss since giving Columbus their worst loss of the season — a 6-0 trouncing in Nashville one month ago to the day. 

But Nashville, like Columbus, will come into the game with some COVID issues. Earlier in the week, captain Roman Josi, Colton Sissons, and Thomas Novak all entered the protocol. The loss of Josi means the Predators are (as they were in Wednesday's loss to the Capitals) without their points leader (29), power play goal scorer (5), and on-ice minutes leader (24:46). 

Josi was one of three Nashville skaters with double-digit goals. The other two are expected to play Thursday: Filip Forsberg, who scored four of his 14 goals against Columbus in November, and old friend Matt Duchene, who has 13 tallies on the year. 

STORYLINES

• LET'S DO THAT HOCKEY
  What will the two-week delay that saw five games postponed mean for the Blue Jackets? The lineup will look out of sorts and is likely to shift as the game goes on, but hey — we're going to see hockey. It's been too long. Added bonus: this is the Blue Jackets last game of 2021. A win would a 15-13-1 record heading into the new calendar year. In other words: a winning record heading into January for a team that was expected to finish near the bottom of the league in the standings. 
   
• PK IMPROVEMENT NEEDED
  Prior to the break, Columbus has allowed six power play goals in their opponents' last 12 man-advantages. The Blue Jackets have moved down to 22nd in the ever-important penalty kill percentage and are eerily close to dropping into the bottom five. Simply put, they have to get better on the penalty kill. Nashville playing without Josi, their power play leader, will help Columbus.
   
• POST-CHRISTMAS RETURNS
  It's not just meant for the gift your aunt gave you at the holidays. Adam Boqvist and Patrik Laine were activated from the injured reserve list over the break, and while the club hasn't officially announced either player will be on the ice Thursday, both are expected to play — especially considering Columbus is down four players (Bjorkstrand, Korpisalo, Robinson, and Bayreuther) due to the protocol.

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