When the Columbus Blue Jackets take on the Carolina Hurricanes, it is often a snooze fest. The teams are both fundamentally sound and know when to take advantage offensively. It doesn't necessarily lead to very entertaining hockey.
The last time these teams faced off the Hurricanes smothered anything the Blue Jackets were able to muster offensively and came away with a 3-1 win. It was one of the most convincing losses the Blue Jackets have suffered this year. Given the division implications, will a large lineup overhaul take place knowing that certain players are healthy enough to return?
VIDEO: John Tortorella
Torts on #CBJ developing scoring chances last night and sustaining their compete level tonight: pic.twitter.com/gLJFvsTsWC
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 28, 2017
Blue Jackets Projected Lineup
| # | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Artemi Panarin | 24 GP, 5-11-16 | 18 | Pierre-Luc Dubois | 24 GP, 4-2-6 | 77 | Josh Anderson | 22 GP, 8-5-13 |
| 38 | Boone Jenner | 17 GP, 3-5-8 | 17 | Brandon Dubinsky | 24 GP, 2-7-9 | 28 | Oliver Bjorkstrand | 24 GP, 5-9-14 |
| 22 | Sonny Milano | 21 GP, 5-4-9 | 71 | Nick Foligno | 24 GP, 4-6-10 | 13 | Cam Atkinson | 20 GP, 6-3-9 |
| 64 | Tyler Motte | 13 GP, 3-1-4 | 45 | Lukas Sedlak | 11 GP, 2-1-3 | 14 | Jordan Schroeder | 5 GP, 0-0-0 |
| # | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Zach Werenski | 24 GP, 6-6-12 | 3 | Seth Jones | 24 GP, 3-9-12 |
| 7 | Jack Johnson | 24 GP, 1-3-4 | 58 | David Savard | 23 GP, 2-5-7 |
| 27 | Ryan Murray | 24 GP, 1-4-5 | 65 | Markus Nutivaara | 19 GP, 1-8-9 |
| # | Player | GS | W-L-OL | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | Sergei Bobrovsky | 18 | 14-5-1 | 1.92 | .935 | 3 |
| 70 | Joonas Korpisalo | 4 | 1-3-0 | 3.28 | .896 | 0 |
Three Storylines
- What Is The Lineup: Questions have been thrown head coach John Tortorella's way about the workload that Sergei Bobrovsky has endured thus far. On a back-to-back, it is a strong possibility that Joonas Korpisalo could make the start. Considering that the game has divisional implications, it makes the decision even tougher to decide. Do you keep riding the red-hot Bobrovsky or do you allow him to rest when given the opportunity? Not to mention forwards Matt Calvert and Alexander Wennberg are close to returning to the lineup. Do you slot them in now to get refreshed players?
- Jeff Skinner, Blue Jacket Killer: It might seem like Hurricanes forward Jeff Skinner scores every single game against the Blue Jackets but in reality, he doesn't, he only does it every other game. In 21 games against the Blue Jackets, Skinner has scored 9 goals and helped with 6 assists for a total of 15 points. Those aren't otherworldly numbers but he is consistent enough to make sure that the Blue Jackets force him to be uncomfortable offensively.
- Playing Your Own Game: The Hurricanes play a measured and methodical game. It comes from the defensemen that are fantastic passers for their position. They will step up when the play is right and they will step back when they know they don't have anything there. The team's discipline offensively is what separates it from other teams. It is a big reason why they continue to be near the top of all shot metrics the past two seasons.
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