Game Preview: Laine Returns As Blue Jackets Head North Of The Border

OTTAWA SENATORS

17–17–3 (37 points; .500%) ROSTER / SCHEDULE

7:00 P.M. – TUESDAY, JANUARY 3 CANADIAN TIRE CENTRE OTTAWA, ON, CAN

BALLY SPORTS OHIO ESPN+ (Out of Market)

After ending a losing streak that hit seven games — all in regulation — on the final day of 2022, the Columbus Blue Jackets begin the 2023 portion of their schedule Tuesday night when they battle Brady Tkachuk and the Ottawa Senators.

The streak of seven straight without a point, which ended with a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on New Year's Eve, was Columbus' longest since losing eight in a row to start the 2015-16 season. 

Here's what to know when the Blue Jackets and Senators go to battle for the first of three games on the schedule:

TALKING POINTS: SENS

• After a disappointing 73 points in the 2021-22 season, the Senators were aggressive in the offseason. They added Alex Debrincat in a trade with the Blackhawks, signed free agent Claude Giroux to a three-year deal, and traded for goaltender Cam Talbot. Whether or not the results are as intended in questionable — Ottawa is on pace to improve just nine points from last season — but they certainly are fun.
   
• The Senators have a balanced scoring attack, with six players already in double-digit goals. Five of them — Debrincat, Giroux, Brady Tkachuk, Drake Batherson, and Tim Stützle — are all within five points of each other for the team lead in goals + assists. Tkachuk, with a stat line of 13-25-38, leads the pack.
   
• A big part of the Sens offense comes from the power play, where they are converting at a 27.7% rate, which ranks 4th in the NHL. The above-mentioned quintet has 27 of those man-advantage goals, which makes up over 40% of their 67 combined goals. 
   
• Ottawa is one of a few teams in the league that has a true rotation between the pipes. Coming over from the Wild in one of those offseason moves, Talbot has been steady for the Sens. He has a goals against average of 2.74 to pair with a .911 save percentage. Talbot is in a tandem with former Blue Jacket Anton Forsberg, who has a nearly identical save percentage (.910), but has a GAA of 3.09. 

CBJ

• LAINE IN, MEYER OUT
  After missing the first two games outside of the holiday break, forward Patrik Laine is set to be back in the lineup and on the top line Tuesday. The pairing of him with Johnny Gaudreau and Kent Johnson showed flashes of brilliance in minimum time together, so this line is worth keeping a close eye on against the Senators and beyond. With Laine back in the lineup, expect Carson Meyer to be a healthy scratch.
   
• GO JOHNNY, GO
  Gaudreau picked up a pair of assists in Saturday's win over Chicago, giving him 37 points in 35 games. That puts him on a pace for 87 points — which would tie Artemi Panarin's record for the most points in a season in franchise history. 
   
• OTTAWA STREAK
  The Blue Jackets have points in four straight games when playing the Senators from Ottawa, including a 4-1 win last season.

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Updated: 7:05 a.m. // Subject to Change