Might as well call them the Columbus New Jackets at this point.
The Columbus Blue Jackets made a huge splash a few days ago when they acquired star center Matt Duchene from the Ottawa Senators, and more reinforcements are on the way for tonight's game.
Ryan Dzingel, a former Ohio State standout, will make his Blue Jackets debut tonight, as will hulking defenseman Adam McQuaid. Goalie Keith Kinkaid could also dress tonight, but likely in a backup capacity.
All three of the new guys – plus Duchene – bolster a team that was already playing quite well, as Columbus comes into tonight's matchup with a 7-3-0 record in their last 10 games. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, hasn't fared as well, at 4-4-2 in their last 10, as they now find themselves out of a playoff spot.
Projected Lines:
Panarin - Duchene - Atkinson
Dzingel - Dubois - Bjorkstrand
Foligno - Jenner - Anderson
Robinson - Wennberg - Nash
Defensemen:
Werenski - Jones
Nutivaara - Savard
McQuaid - Harrington
Goaltenders:
Bobrovsky/Korpisalo
Storylines
- Pittsburgh will be particularly thin on defense tonight, with Kris Letang and Brian Dumoulin out of of the lineup – as well as newly-acquired Erik Gudbranson, while he waits to clear immigration – so the Blue Jackets have a big chance to take two points from their hated rivals.
- Will Alexander Wennberg find his way back into the lineup? He hasn't shown the same offensive prowess this season that he has in years past, but he certainly seems to be an upgrade over any current fourth line players, and his defensive play has been very strong.
