8th place in the Metro vs. the Great 8.
The Blue Jackets and Capitals will battle for the third time this season. Washington has won both games, beating the Blue Jackets 6-2 in Columbus on Jan. 5 and 1-0 in D.C. on Jan. 8.
News
Blue Jackets head coach Brad Larsen confirmed that Joonas Korpisalo (8-9-2, 3.32 GAA, .907 SV%) will start in net while defenseman Marcus Bjork will return to the lineup to play in his first NHL game since Jan. 10.
#CBJ HC Brad Larsen confirms Joonas Korpisalo will start in net.
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) January 31, 2023
Additionally, forward Yegor Chinakhov, who hasn't played since Dec. 19 with an ankle injury, was on the ice during the team's morning skate. Larsen said he is "improving but we'll see after the break" regarding his return.
Notes
Here are the lines and power play units from the morning skate.
#CBJ lines in morning skate:
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) January 31, 2023
Gaudreau-Jenner-Laine
Marchenko-Sillinger-Johnson
Foudy-Roslovic-Bemstrom
Robinson-Kuraly-Olivier
Berni-Gudbranson
Gavrikov-Peeke
Bayreuther-Bjork
Korpisalo
Merzlikins
#CBJ PP units at morning skate:
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) January 31, 2023
PP1
Point: Bjork
LW: Laine
RW: Gaudreau
Bumper: Marchenko
Net-front: Jenner
PP2
Point: Gavrikov
LW: Bemstrom
RW: Johnson
Bumper: Roslovic
Net-front: Sillinger
Soundbites
Last game before the All-Star break
"It shouldn't be," Larsen said answering whether this game is more difficult because it's the last one before the break. "I don't think so." He later said, "I think everybody's looking forward to the break but we've got a game to play first. You know the break will come after, but be a pro."
A better result against Washington the second time around
"We were hungry," Larsen said when analyzing his team's 1-0 loss to the Capitals on Jan. 8. "[On] the forecheck, we were above them. Great o-zone shifts. I remember going through that game and there wasn't a guy I didn't like, so that's kind of effort we're gonna need."
The Blue Jackets and Capitals face off at 7 p.m. ET at Nationwide Arena and on Bally Sports Ohio.
