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4-1-1 (9 points) ROSTER / SCHEDULE |
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7:00 P.M. – TUESDAY, FEB. 2 NATIONWIDE ARENA COLUMBUS, OH |
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FOX SPORTS OHIO FOX SPORTS GO |
The Columbus Blue Jackets are going to have a refreshed look when the puck drops for their game against the Dallas Stars at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday night.
After Sunday's game, a refresh couldn't come at a more perfect time.
Patrik Laine will make his debut, and Columbus will sport their reverse retro jerseys for the first time as the Blue Jackets will look to move past an ugly 3-1 loss at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on Sunday night.
Laine, who has cleared COVID-19 protocols, was on the ice at Nationwide for the first time Monday as a member of the Blue Jackets. While the Blue Jackets did not practice today, head coach John Tortorella has hinted in recent days that the Finnish phenom would be paired with Max Domi and Oliver Bjorkstrand on the top line.
Riley Nash is out of the lineup tonight, as he and his wife welcome a new baby.
Tuesday will also mark the debut of the Adidas' reverse retro jerseys for the Blue Jackets. While fan feedback has been mixed, the red sweaters with the original Blue Jackets logo should be a unique change of pace for the team, who have had their current logo since the 2007-08 season.
As for the game itself, the Blue Jackets will look to extend an eight game winning streak against the Stars. Dallas will be aiming for their first points in Columbus since October 14th, 2014.
Even if Laine and company show well, Columbus will need to be at their best defensively to keep their winning streak against Dallas alive. The Stars are off to an impressive start in the pandemic-shortened season, in part due to an electric power play that has converted on 37.9% of their opportunities. Dallas has 23 goals in their first six games; the Blue Jackets have just 24 in ten total games.
Columbus Blue Jackets Projected Lines
| LW | C | RW | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | Patrik Laine | 42 | Alexandre Texier | 13 | Cam Atkinson |
| 38 | Boone Jenner | 96 | Jack Roslovic | 28 | Oliver Bjorkstrand |
| 25 | Mikhail Grigorenko | 16 | Max Domi | 71 | Nick Foligno |
| 50 | Eric Robinson | 9 | Mikko Koivu | 19 | Liam Foudy |
| LD | RD | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Zach Werenski | 3 | Seth Jones |
| 44 | Vladislav Gavrikov | 58 | David Savard |
| 15 | Michael Del Zotto | 46 | Dean Kukan |
| Goalie | Backup | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | Joonas Korpisalo | 90 | Elvis Merzlikins |
STORYLINES
- LAINE ON LINE A: Despite not practicing with the team, Patrik Laine is an elite offensive talent who is expected to see big minutes right away for the Blue Jackets - especially on their struggling power play. Tortorella has stated he's likely going to pair him with Max Domi, and despite his tendency to change the lines up often, it may be more beneficial for Columbus' new sniper to play consistently with the same line. Laine, Domi, and Oliver Bjorkstrand should see significant time together on the ice.
- KORPI'S TURN: The Blue Jackets have rotated goalies on a game-by-game basis through ten games, and it'll be Korpisalo's turn in net to start the two game set against Dallas. After Merzlikins' blunders in the third period against Chicago on Sunday, a strong performance from Joonas on Tuesday could earn him a second straight start for game two Thursday.
- 3 & 8: The Blue Jackets top defensive pair of Seth Jones and Zach Werenski has a combined -15 plus/minutes so far. They must be better. Yes, they see a lot of playing time against the top lines of their opponent - but they did that last season and were a combined +19. Can these two put together an entire performance, as they have so often in recent seasons?
