Game Day #62: With Trade Deadline Looming, Blue Jackets Face Bobrovsky, Panthers As Road Trip Continues

Could this be the last game with this version of the Columbus Blue Jackets?

With the NHL's trade deadline Friday at 3 p.m. and the Blue Jackets in the market to add for a playoff push, Thursday night's game against the Florida Panthers could be the last before Columbus bolsters their lineup for the stretch.

President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell said Wednesday that one player who won't be moved at the deadline is defenseman Ivan Provorov. The pending unrestricted free agent has been key to the Blue Jackets blueline, and Waddell is on record as saying he doesn't think it would be fair to take him off the team — even if that means the risk of losing him via free agency after the season.

Still, the Blue Jackets are actively looking to add a winger, so the 12 players in the lineup Thursday may not be the same 12 in for Columbus' next game, a big showdown with the New York Rangers on Sunday. 

First thing first though: the game Thursday against Florida gives Columbus a chance to get back into the winning column after their 6-2 loss Tuesday night to Tampa Bay. The Blue Jackets, possibly coming off a Stadium Series hangover, seemed to have their energy but were sloppy with the puck in all three zones as their four-game winning streak came to an end.

The game — as they all will be from here out — are big in the standings. The Blue Jackets maintain the top wild card spot right now but are just a point ahead of the Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers, who are tied for the second (and final) spot. The Detroit Red Wings are just one point behind them, with a bevy of other teams following.

Here's what else to know as Columbus continues their four-game roadie:

• RE: FLORIDA
  It's another hot opponent for the Blue Jackets, as the Panthers enter Thursday having won eight of their last ten. That includes four straight, with wins over the Oilers and Lightning included. ... This is the fourth game of a five-game homestand for Florida. ... Sergei Bobrovsky starts in net. The former Blue Jacket is having (to no surprise) another great season. He's 26-13-2 in 41 starts with a 2.55 goals against average and .906 save percentage. He's also given up two goals or less in four of his last five starts. 
   
• ELVIS BETWEEN THE PIPES
  Opposing Bobrovsky will be Elvis Merzlikins. He allowed five goals in the 6-2 loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday, but Merzlikins also faced 39 shots and several of the goals were the result of turnovers or sloppy play from the Blue Jackets skaters. With two days off after tonight, giving Elvis a chance to quickly bounce back seems like the right call.
   
• ONE GOAL AWAY
  With two goals Tuesday, Zach Werenski tied a career high with 20 goals on the season. That also tied his own franchise record for goals in a season from a defenseman. The only defenseman with more is Cale Makar, at 22. 
   
• LINEUPS  CHANGES & PROJECTIONS
  The second and fourth lines will look a little different Thursday night, and that's because James van Riemsdyk and Yegor Chinakhov appear to be switching lines. JVR played briefly with Boone Jenner and Kent Johnson last Thursday after a first period injury to Cole Sillinger forced some shuffling, and the results were positive. Head coach Dean Evason is trying that again, which puts Chinakhov to the fourth line to play alongside Joseph LaBate and Sean Kuraly. No other lineup changes are expected.
  
  Here are the complete lineup projections: