Welcome to the hockey season, everyone.
The preseason is over. Training camps are in the rear-view mirror. Starting this week (Wednesday for the big national premiere), the games count and points are on the line. Each Monday, we'll give you a "week ahead" of what to expect both with the Blue Jackets and around the NHL. Let's dive right in.
Tuesday: NHL Roster Deadline
At 5:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, each of the National Hockey League's 31 teams must have its roster down to 23 players in preparation for their first game. With a current active roster of 29, the Blue Jackets have a number of difficult decisions to make about which six players will be absent from the bench when they face the New York Islanders on Friday.
Will Sonny Milano be here? What about Tyler Motte, or Ohio State product Zac Dalpe? We'll have the answers soon enough.
Friday: Opening Night Against the Islanders
This Friday, Blue Jackets hockey will finally, officially, be back. The Columbus Blue Jackets take on the New York Islanders in Nationwide Arena in their first of 82 regular season games.
To catch it on the small screen, tune into Fox Sports Ohio or MSG+ if you're outside the Blue Jackets broadcast area. Local subscribers can also watch the game on FOX Sports GO.
Saturday: On The Road to Chicago
One day after opening up at home against the Islanders, the Blue Jackets hit the road to take on the Chicago Blackhawks at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. The game will once again be broadcast on both FOX Sports Ohio and FOX Sports GO within the club's broadcast territory. Also of note: the first game against their former teams for both Artemi Panarin and Brandon Saad, who were traded for each other at the NHL Draft in June.
1st Ohio Battery will be providing in-depth coverage of roster moves as well as full pre-game and post-game analysis both Friday and Saturday. We hope you'll follow along.
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