Game Preview: Blue Jackets Eye Weekend Sweep, Face Jets In St. Patty's Day Battle

WINNIPEG JETS

42-19-5 (89 pts; .674%) 3rd, Central Division ROSTER SCHEDULE

6:00 P.M. – SUNDAY, MARCH 17 NATIONWIDE ARENA COLUMBUS, OH

TELEVISION: Bally Sports Ohio ESPN+ Power Play (Out of Market)

After not winning back-to-back games since November, the Columbus Blue Jackets are going for consecutive victories for the second time in March on Sunday when they face the Winnipeg Jets.

The Blue Jackets ended a three-game losing streak Saturday night, defeating the San Jose Sharks 4-2 behind another strong outing by goaltender Daniil Tarasov. He stopped 39 of 41 shots, earning first-star honors for the night.

Irish eyes have not smiled upon the Blue Jackets on St. Patrick's Day recently. They've allowed seven goals in each of the last two season's on March 17th; both lopsided losses. Winning Sunday may require more than just giving up fewer goals, though: the Jets allow a league-best 2.36 goals per game and have shutouts in three of their last five games.

Here's what else to know as the Jackets and Jets meet Sunday for a 6:00 p.m. puck-drop:

TALKING POINTS: WPG

• While the Jets haven't allowed a goal in three of their last five games, the other two games have been shaky: they gave up a combined nine goals to the Vancouver Canucks and Nashville Predators in losses over the last eight days. Primary starter Connor Hellebuyck was in net for both of those starts.
   
• After three games at home, Sunday's game kicks off a season-long five-game road trip for the Jets. With a record of 19-10-3, Winnipeg has been one of the best road teams in the NHL throughout the season.
   
• This isn't important for any reason, it's just... odd: the Jets have not scored a shootout goal in over a year. They've been in only one this season and went 0-for-3, and they didn't convert in their last attempt during the 2022-23 season. The last shootout goal for the Jets came February 14th, 2023. Does mentioning this guarantee a Jets shootout win?

TALKING POINTS: CBJ

• Alex Nylander. That's it. That's the talking point. 
   
• Columbus' empty-net goal Saturday night in the final seconds was their 20th shot of the night and stopped the Blue Jackets from tying a season-low for shots on goal. That is somewhat concerning against a San Jose team that allows a league-worst 35 shots per game.
   
• Another game, another injury: Jake Bean left Saturday's contest in the third period after blocking a shot and did not return. As of early Sunday morning, there is no announcement regarding his status for Sunday. Tarasov was fantastic between the pipes in the win over the Sharks and back-to-backs are tough, but here's to hoping he gets the nod from head coach Pascal Vincent again. (Update 4:20pm: Elvis Merzlikins gets the start.) If both Tarasov and Bean are in the lineup, here are the projected (but subject-to-change) lineups: