Game Day #75: Big Changes To Forward Lines Saturday As Blue Jackets Look For Win Over Maple Leafs

The forward lines have been put in a blender as head coach Dean Evason is changing it all up before the Columbus Blue Jackets battle the Toronto Maple Leafs in a crucial Saturday night match-up.

The changes are headlined by Kent Johnson replacing Dmitri Voronkov on the top line, where Johnson will play with Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko. Voronkov has been bumped to the bottom six, where he'll play at left wing opposite of Mathieu Olivier and centered by Cole Sillinger.

James van Riemsdyk comes in for Luke Kunin and will slot in at right wing on a line with Boone Jenner and Adam Fantilli.

The hope is that the changes will help spark the Blue Jackets to a much-needed win. They're four points out of the final wild card and while they go have a game in hand against the two teams ahead of them — the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers — the Canadiens relatively easy schedule will make Columbus' fight for a playoff spot that much more difficult.

If things go right Saturday, Columbus could be just two points back of the last spot with a game still in hand. If they go wrong, it could be a six-point deficit that starts to look nearly impossible as the season winds down.

"I have a lot of faith in this team that we’re going to bounce back," said Jenner following Thursday night's 7-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.

Here's what else to know before the CBJ look for that bounce in Ontario:

• RE: LEAFS
  The Maple Leafs have already clinched a playoff spot and are now locked in on trying to secure the Atlantic Division title. ... Toronto is 4-0-1 in their last five, scoring 21 times in that span. The offense has really picked it up since the 4 Nations break ended in late February, averaging 3.80 goals in 20 games. ... Anthony Stolarz will start in net. He's 17-8-3 in his first season with the Leafs and has put up really good numbers: a 2.34 goals against average, .920 save percentage, and a quality start rate of 72%. The league average is 53%. 
   
• VORONKOV'S BUMP
  Moving out of the top six for Voronkov was something that we could've seen coming. He had an assist Thursday night, which ended a ten game scoreless drought for the Big Boss. He hasn't scored a goal since the Stadium Series game over a month ago. The struggle has been real for Voronkov, prompting the change.
   
• ELVIS' RESPONSE
  After getting pulled Thursday, Elvis Merzlikins is back in net Saturday night. He's allowed 25 goals in his last five games, but let Colorado score seven times on 28 shots two nights ago in what was one of his worst outings of the season. Not every goal could be put on Elvis, but there were several that should've been saved and his response tonight could go a long way in determining whether or not Columbus can make the postseason.
   
• LINEUPS CHANGES & PROJECTIONS:
  With all of the changes to the forward trios, here's what the lines look like tonight: