The Columbus Blue Jackets after one game are in need of a bounce-back performance. After losing to the Nashville Predators, 3-1, they need to find an offensive spark so they don't start the season behind the eight-ball.
| KNOW YOUR ENEMY |
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| NASHVILLE PREDATORS |
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1–0–0 (2 points) ROSTER / SCHEDULE |
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8 P.M. – SATURDAY,JAN. 16 BRIDGESTONE ARENA NASHVILLE, TN |
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FOX SPORTS OHIO FOX SPORTS GO |
The Predators have a history of taking it to the Blue Jackets but this isn't your mother's Blue Jackets team. After years of consecutive playoff appearances, this Columbus team shouldn't have a problem going toe to toe with the Predators. A flat second and third period doomed the Blue Jackets during their opening night affair.
It remains to be seen how the Blue Jackets are going to adjust after the opening night loss. The lines will surely be in a blender but beyond that, it doesn't appear (as of this writing) that anyone is going to be replaced from the opening night lineup to bolster the team.
After seeing very little ice time in his debut, Max Domi will be a player to monitor, and getting his line going will be of the utmost importance.
Columbus Blue Jackets Projected Lines
| LW | C | RW | |||
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| 25 | Mikhail Grigorenko | 18 | Pierre-Luc Dubois | 28 | Oliver Bjorkstrand |
| 38 | Boone Jenner | 16 | Max Domi | 13 | Cam Atkinson |
| 71 | Nick Foligno | 42 | Alexandre Texier | 19 | Liam Foudy |
| 50 | Eric Robinson | 20 | Riley Nash | 52 | Emil Bemstrom |
| LD | RD | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Zach Werenski | 3 | Seth Jones |
| 44 | Vladislav Gavrikov | 58 | David Savard |
| 15 | Michael Del Zotto | 14 | Dean Kukan |
| Goalie | Backup | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | Joonas Korpisalo | 90 | Elvis Merzlikins |
Storylines
- WHOSE NET? The Blue Jackets got a solid performance out of their goaltender Joonas Korpisalo in their first game against the Nashville Predators. As of this writing, it hasn't been explicitly stated who will be in the net. The gameplan was to have both players split time in net and if they want to see how the other performs, it could mean that Elvis Merzlikins sees the ice.
- OFFENSE NEEDED: It was already talked about above but the team needs center Max Domi to perform and be a top-six center for the team. Is that going to come from him showing John Tortorella that he can do it or is it going to be from more ice time. We're looking at a real chicken or the egg scenario right here.
- MDZ: One surprising part of the opening night game was the fact that Michael Del Zotto was so involved. He led the Blue Jackets with seven shot attempts. It seemed like Del Zotto was supposed to be a plug-and-play piece but if this continues he may force Tortorella to give him more ice time.
