Joonas Korpisalo continues to get game after game, even as the Blue Jackets struggle.
John Tortorella confirmed that the Finnish netminder would be in net tonight against the Panthers, even after the news that Elvis Merzlikins was activated off IR yesterday. It'll be Korpisalo's eighth-straight start, and the Blue Jackets are 2-4-1 in his previous seven. Merzlikins will serve as the backup tonight.
In no way are the Blue Jackets' struggles all on Korpisalo, but he may need a rest, especially after a 5-0 beatdown at the hands of the Dallas Stars on Saturday night. He's notched a .904 save percentage and 2.57 GAA average in those seven starts, which are decent numbers, but Korpisalo has shown that he is capable of more.
Laine to the Right
Patrik Laine is without a point in his last six games, and Tortorella has moved the Finnish winger to the right side of Jack Roslovic's line. Oliver Bjorkstrand will serve as the left wing. Laine hasn't looked incredibly comfortable during 5v5 play, so perhaps the move away from his off wing will help him regain some confidence.
After a fall during practice yesterday, it wasn't known if he would be good to go tonight, but he'll be on the Blue Jackets' top line, so hopefully there are no lingering effects.
#CBJ Patrik Laine wiped out during a small-space contact drill, his legs spreading awkwardly as he fell backward. Up slowly, bending his left leg a few times to stretch it out. Before any further drills, he has a brief chat w John Tortorella, heads off early to the dressing room.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) March 8, 2021
Line Combos
A look at tonight's projected lines #CBJ | @BlueTech_Inc pic.twitter.com/wEVRMU8z85
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 9, 2021
Elsewhere, Cam Atkinson is slated to play with Boone Jenner and Nick Foligno. The trio represents the three longest-tenured Blue Jackets. Max Domi will play with Riley Nash, who has been impressive of late, and Emil Bemstrom, whose 5v5 play has improved, but is still looking to find his scoring touch. There's a lot of offensive skill spread out over these four lines. Each trio has goal-scoring, skill with the puck, and defensive ability. Tortorella will want them to put it all together tonight as the Blue Jackets desperately seek offensive consistency.
Puck drop tonight is slated for 7:00 P.M., and old friend Sergei Bobrovsky will be in net for the Panthers, who are 15-5-4, but only 2-1-2 in their last five games.
