Regardless of early season highs and lows, the Columbus Blue Jackets have earned at least a point in five straight games.
Tonight, the Blue Jackets look to extend that point streak to six against a Metropolitan Division rival, the Carolina Hurricanes.
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6–3–0 (12 points) ROSTER / SCHEDULE |
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7 P.M. – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24 NATIONWIDE ARENA COLUMBUS, OHIO |
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FOX SPORTS OHIO FOX SPORTS GO |
On Monday, the Jackets bounced back from two straight overtime losses to topple the offensively-elite Toronto Maple Leafs on an overtime penalty shot from Gus Nyquist. Columbus will no doubt look to capitalize on this momentum to capture back-to-back wins.
And after three straight games decided in overtime, the Blue Jackets would like to accomplish that win in regulation. The 2019-2020 Blue Jackets have not won a game by more than one goal so far this season.
Even the losses have been close contests. Since the second game of the season, all Blue Jackets games have been decided by only one goal. It would provide more hope for the questions surrounding the team's offense to have a definitive victory and dominating performance, but they'll take two points however they come.
Tonight, the Hurricanes provide quite the challenge. With a potent offense and stout defense (as well as being a division rival), a close game seems almost certain between these two teams. The Blue Jackets will have to see if they are up to the task.
Here's a look at tonight's projected lines for the Blue Jackets:
Forwards
Foligno–Dubois–Atkinson
Nyquist–Wennberg–Bjorkstrand
Texier–Jenner–Anderson
Milano–Nash–Bemstrom
Defenseman
Werenski–Jones
Murray–Nutivaara
Gavrikov–Savard
Goaltender: Korpisalo
Storylines
- Cam's Offense. It's nine games into the season and Cam Atkinson, who scored 41 times last season, is still without an even-strength goal. While the Carolina defense provides a further impediment, Atkinson will look to capitalize on the increasing number high-danger chances he's been creating as of late.
- Wennberg's Resurgence. Alexander Wennberg wants to continue his strong start to the season and personal resurgence tour against a division rival. Wennberg co-leads the team in scoring and has provided a strong pivot between wingers Nyquist and Oliver Bjorkstrand.
- Power Play Struggles. The Blue Jackets' power play ended an 0-18 drought Monday night against the Maple Leafs. They've yet to sustain any momentum with their power play, but it has scored key goals (see: Monday in the third period). The team is experimenting with new looks, among them having both Werenski and Jones on the first unit and Atkinson on the second.
