Stadium Series Game Preview: Blue Jackets Host Red Wings At Ohio Stadium In Columbus' First-Ever Outdoor Game

It's here.

More than 90,000 fans are expected inside Ohio Stadium on Saturday when the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Detroit Red Wings in the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series.

It's the second half of a unique home-and-home between the two teams, one that the Blue Jackets set the tone for Thursday with a decisive 5-2 win in Detroit.

The day will feature several undertones of the storied football rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan, but the players on the ice are much more concerned with the game — even those who are proud Michigan alumni.

"No rivalry for me this weekend," said Zach Werenski, one of those alumni. "I don't really care about it."

"It's great for our fans, for our city, it's great for our team and our organization."

Even for those who don't have a personal tie-in to the college rivalry, they understand the moment.

"It kind of blew me away at first," said captain Boone Jenner. "Seeing the ice out there for the first time was pretty special. Enjoying it with my teammates, it's something we've been looking forward to."

Head coach Dean Evason said that Friday's outdoor practice was a good way for the team to soak it in before the big day.

"(Friday) is about getting prepared, no different than it is the day before a regular game," said Evason. "But you can still have some fun and enjoy it, it's very special out there."

The game is also pivotal in the standings, perhaps more so than any other outdoor game in NHL history. Columbus and Detroit are tied at 66 points each, holding down the two wild card spots in an ultra-competitive Eastern Conference playoff race.

With just about six weeks left in the regular season, every point matters. 

"It feels like the perfect storm," said forward Mathieu Olivier. "Where they're at, where we're at, where we're at in the season — and then you add the outdoor game."

"You can't make this up."

Saturday will feature many special moments, but none more-so than the team's plan to be led into the stadium before the game by Meredith Gaudreau, the wife of the late Johnny Gaudreau.

"(Johnny) would have loved everything about this," said Jenner. "There's no doubt he would have had a blast and we're going to play for him."

Here's what else to know when the Blue Jackets and Red Wings play under the lights of The Shoe:

• RE: WINGS
  As he did in Detroit's loss Thursday, Cam Talbot will get the start in net again Saturday. He's had a save percentage under .900 in four of his last five starts, going 2-2-1 in those games while allowing a total of 17 goals. This will be his fourth start in eight days. ... Detroit scored one of three power play chances Thursday; they're now 6-of-13 on the man-advantage in the four games since the 4 Nations break ended. For the season, the Red Wings rank second in the NHL on the power play. ... Lucas Raymond, Dylan Larkin, and Alex DeBrincat all have at least 22 goals and at least 50 points on the season, but there's a steep drop in production after that: Patrick Kane is fourth on the team in both categories, with 14 goals and 35 points.
   
• SCORING IN DROVES
  The Blue Jackets have scored at least five goals in their three games since returning from the break: a 5-1 win last Saturday over Chicago, a 6-4 win over Dallas on Tuesday, and Thursday's 5-2 win over Detroit. They're 5th in the NHL for the season in goals per game at 3.25 and even better at home, where their 4.03 per-game average leads the league.
   
• JVR: A MAN OF THE OUTDOOR GAMES
  Saturday's game will be the eighth outdoor game in the career of James van Riemsdyk, more than anyone else. He has three goals and three assists in the first seven games. The last time JVR played outside: Feb. 21st, 2021. Three of his six career outdoor points came in that game, but his team — the Philadelphia Flyers — lost 7-3 to the Boston Bruins. The game was played at Lake Tahoe, one of the very few games in NHL history not played in an NHL city. 
   
• LINEUPS & PROJECTIONS
  Cole Sillinger was injured in the first period of Thursday's win and Evason confirmed that he will not be in the lineup Saturday. Mikael Pyyhtia, recalled Friday from the (AHL) Cleveland Monsters, comes into the lineup and will be on the fourth line with Sean Kuraly and Joseph LaBate. 
  
  The only other lineup change is in net, where Elvis Merzlikins will get the start after Daniil Tarasov was between the pipes in Thursday's game. Merzlikins has won both of his starts coming out of the break, defeating the Blackhawks on Saturday and the Stars on Tuesday.
  
  Here are the complete lineup projections: