The Blue Jackets travel to Washington, D.C. on Saturday to wrap up their preseason slate against the Capitals at 7 p.m. ET.
Saturday's game features what is likely a preview for Thursday's regular-season opener against the Flyers.
Storylines
- Patrik Laine remains at center between Johnny Gaudreau and Kirill Marchenko. That line has been dominant in the preseason. Can it continue against Washington and into the regular season?
The Gaudreau-Laine-Marchenko line in 21:12 of 5v5 TOI over two preseason games (data via @NatStatTrick):
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) October 6, 2023
Shot Attempts: 24-10
Shots on Goal: 17-6
Goals: 3-0
Expected Goals: 1.24-0.33
Scoring Chances: 11-3
High-danger Chances: 9-1
They've been dominant. #CBJ https://t.co/WRQ3gmJPea
- Elvis Merzlikins has struggled in the preseason to the tune of a .872 SV%. Can he put forth a solid performance ahead of the regular season?
- The third forward line has an average age of 19.33 and consists of three players who were drafted as centers. How will Cole Sillinger adjust to playing on the wing?
Here are the lines and power play units for the contest:
PROJECTED CBJ LINES
Updated: 11:49 a.m. // Subject to Change
| LW | C | RW | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Johnny Gaudreau | 29 | Patrik Laine | 86 | Kirill Marchenko |
| 42 | Alexandre Texier | 38 | Boone Jenner | 52 | Emil Bemstrom |
| 91 | Kent Johnson | 11 | Adam Fantilli | 4 | Cole Sillinger |
| 50 | Eric Robinson | 7 | Sean Kuraly | 17 | Justin Danforth |
| LD | RD | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Zach Werenski | 55 | David Jiricek |
| 9 | Ivan Provorov | 78 | Damon Severson |
| 22 | Jake Bean | 44 | Erik Gudbranson |
| Starting Goalie | Back-Up | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | Elvis Merzlikins | 30 | Spencer Martin |
#CBJ PP units at morning skate:
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) October 7, 2023
PP1
Point: Werenski
LW: Laine
RW: Gaudreau
Bumper: Marchenko
Net-front: Jenner
PP2
Point: Provorov
LW: Severson
RW: Johnson
Bumper: Bemstrom
Net-front: Fantilli
The following players are not in the lineup but are still on the roster:
Forwards
- Dmitri Voronkov
- Liam Foudy
- Mathieu Olivier
- Yegor Chinakhov (injured)
- Trey Fix-Wolansky
- Jordan Dumais
- Jack Roslovic
Defensemen
- Andrew Peeke
- Denton Mateychuk
- Adam Boqvist
- Nick Blankenburg
Goalies
- Daniil Tarasov (knee injury)
There are just five days until the Blue Jackets host the Flyers on Thursday to begin the 2023-24 season.
