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| DALLAS STARS |
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8–9–6 (22 points) ROSTER / SCHEDULE |
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5:00 P.M. – SUNDAY, MAR. 14 NATIONWIDE ARENA COLUMBUS, OH |
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FOX SPORTS OHIO FOX SPORTS |
The Blue Jackets have some good vibes heading into today's game at Nationwide Arena. How about that?
Yesterday's 4-3 overtime win over the Dallas Stars wasn't perfect, it wasn't pretty, but it resulted in two points that Columbus sorely needed to keep its slim postseason hopes alive. The math isn't in the Blue Jackets' favor, but the players and coaches don't want to hear that. Their job is to keep winning and banking points, however possible.
Zach Werenski scored the OT winner with just about five seconds left in the 3-on-3 session, banging away at a rebound after Oliver Bjorkstrand had two looks of his own–and despite their OT struggles, the Blue Jackets found a way to get it done. Now, they have to do it again.
John Tortorella might have found something with a newly-formed line of Max Domi, Jack Roslovic, and Cam Atkinson. Domi had a goal and an assist yesterday, Atkinson scored in his 600th NHL game, and Roslovic looked quick and engaged with new line mates. They were the Blue Jackets' most effective line and gave the Stars fits in the third period. We'll see if they stick together for this afternoon's series finale.
We know this: the Stars are no easy put-away. They showed that yesterday, tying the game in the third period to force overtime (and who can forget the beating they placed on the Blue Jackets last weekend in Dallas). The Blue Jackets found their game in the later stages of their win yesterday and were more connected, something Tortorella has been imploring of them as they try to snap out of a weeks-long funk.
Here's a look at tonight's projected (and subject to change) lines for Columbus:
Columbus Blue Jackets Projected Lines
| LW | C | RW | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Max Domi | 96 | Jack Roslovic | 13 | Cam Atkinson |
| 29 | Patrik Laine | 20 | Riley Nash | 28 | Oliver Bjorkstrand |
| 71 | Nick Foligno | 42 | Alexandre Texier | 11 | Kevin Stenlund |
| 50 | Eric Robinson | 38 | Boone Jenner | 52 | Emil Bemstrom |
*lines are subject to change
| LD | RD | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Zach Werenski | 3 | Seth Jones |
| 53 | Gabriel Carlsson | 58 | David Savard |
| 44 | Vladislav Gavrikov | 15 | Michael Del Zotto |
| Goalie | Backup | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | Joonas Korpisalo | 90 | Elvis Merzlikins |
Storylines
- BACK TO YOU, KORPI: John Tortorella gave Joonas Korpisalo a two-game break once Elvis Merzlikins was ready to come off injured reserve, but now, it's the big Finn's turn to get back in the net to close out this back-to-back set. Can he carry the mail and lift the Blue Jackets to a win? Not only would it be good for his confidence, but it would help Columbus reestablish its goaltending tandem that has been hit by injuries in 2020-21.
- NEW LINES, BETTER RESULT: Columbus shuffled its lines again Saturday afternoon (heard this before?), but it paid off in a quick burst late in the second period. Roslovic centered Domi and Atkinson, as mentioned above, and Atkinson got the tying goal shortly thereafter. Domi's multi-point afternoon was a welcomed sight, as well, as the Blue Jackets look to get him back on track.
- GET MOVING: This may sound like a broken record, but it's truly now or never for the Blue Jackets. The season is halfway over, and time is their enemy. They're going to need a bender the likes of 2019-20 to get back in this thing, but there aren't many signs pointing in that direction. Getting a win on home ice before going back on the road to face some tough teams would be a good place to start.
