This is another big game for the Blue Jackets.
After only coming away with one win on their California road trip, the Blue Jackets will need to take care of business at home. They start off their home stand against the Vegas Golden Knights, a formidable opponent and tough out despite being an expansion team.
VIDEO: John Tortorella
LIVE: Torts speaks to the media prior to tonight's game against Vegas.
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 6, 2018
https://t.co/DIbz5d84r9#CBJ pic.twitter.com/swb3SXWONZ
Blue Jackets Projected Lineup
| # | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Artemi Panarin | 66 GP, 20-35-55 | 18 | Pierre-Luc Dubois | 66 GP, 14-18-32 | 13 | Cam Atkinson | 50 GP, 13-14-27 |
| 22 | Sonny Milano | 39 GP, 11-5-15 | 71 | Nick Foligno | 62 GP, 14-13-27 | 28 | Oliver Bjorkstrand | 66 GP, 10-25-35 |
| 26 | Thomas Vanek | 3 GP, 0-0-0 | 10 | Alexander Wennberg | 51 GP, 6-18-24 | 38 | Boone Jenner | 59 GP, 6-14-20 |
| 11 | Matt Calvert | 54 GP, 7-13-20 | 17 | Brandon Dubinsky | 48 GP, 5-10-15 | 55 | Mark Letestu | 4 GP, 1-0-1 |
| # | Player | Stats | # | Player | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Zach Werenski | 62 GP, 12-17-29 | 3 | Seth Jones | 66 GP, 10-31-41 |
| 7 | Jack Johnson | 66 GP, 3-6-9 | 27 | Ryan Murray | 31 GP, 1-4-5 |
| 23 | Ian Cole | 4 GP, 0-1-1 | 58 | David Savard | 65 GP, 4-7-11 |
| # | Player | GS | W-L-OL | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | Joonas Korpisalo | 12 | 5-7-0 | 3.30 | .899 | 0 |
| 37 | Jeff Zatkoff | 0 | 0-0-0 | 0.00 | .000 | 0 |
Three Storylines
- What About Bob: The Blue Jackets are going to be without goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky's services as he is out sick. Joonas Korpisalo will start against the Golden Knights and it will be a big test for him. He has looked shaky of late but will finally start a game at home after playing in multiple road contests.
- Center Shuffle: Who is going to score for the Blue Jackets? Artemi Panarin and Sonny Milano have stepped up as of late but they need others to score in a pinch. Boone Jenner has looked better in recent games and Thomas Vanek was brought in to score goals. Both have been invisible and will be needed during the stretch run.
- D, D, D, Defense: Sergei Bobrovsky is out and the Blue Jackets need their defense to step up as well as their back up. The team has been allowing too many high-danger shots and need an improved effort from the defense. While the rovers are out and about, the team needs a collective approach. Especially if Korpisalo wants to come out of this evening alive.
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