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CBJ 69 @ Pittsburgh Penguins — LeSnakebitten |
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The Columbus Blue Jackets conclude the second have of their back to back and kick off a two game trip away from Nationwide Arena tonight. This is their third and final meeting with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Last time they played was in PPG Paints on January 7, and Columbus snapped a 15 game losing streak at the Penguins’ rink. Columbus is up 2-0 on the season series, outscoring the Penguins 9-5.
Columbus is coming into this one in a five game losing streak, including a 1-0 overtime loss last evening in a season sweep to the Florida Panthers, the defending Cup champions. Captain Barkov has the lone OT goal from Seth Jones and Sam Reinhart on the powerplay goal.
Since Pittsburgh and Columbus last played, Pittsburgh sold and bought young. They acquired Phillip Tomasino, Tommy Novak, and Luke Schenn from Nashville for Michael Bunting and picks; then flipped Schenn to Winnipeg for picks. Anthony Beauviller was dealt to Washington for picks. Pierre-Oliver Joseph was acquired from St Louis before the Winter Classic for future considerations. Connor Dewar and Connor Timmins were acquired from Toronto for a pick; Cody Glass was shipped to New Jersey for prospects and picks. Vladislav Kolyachonok was claimed off waivers from Utah.
Keys to Victory
1. Shake it Off! Time to find the scoring touch that was there all season
2. Goaltending — stop the puck; both are bottom five in save percentage and goals against.
3. Shut Down Sid — too hot to handle
Projected Lineups
Pittsburgh Penguins
Rickard Rakell -- Sidney Crosby -- Bryan Rust
Connor Dewar -- Evgeni Malkin -- Philip Tomasino
Joona Koppanen -- Blake Lizotte -- Noel Acciari
Danton Heinen -- Kevin Hayes -- Bokondji Imama
Kris Letang -- Conor Timmins
Matt Grzelcyk -- Erik Karlsson
Ryan Graves -- Vladislav Kolyachonok
Alex Nedeljkovic
Tristan Jarry
Scratched: Sebastian Aho
Injured: P.O Joseph (upper body), Tommy Novak (lower body), Ryan Shea (upper body), Emil Bemstrom (undisclosed)
Columbus Blue Jackets
Dmitri Voronkov -- Adam Fantilli -- Kirill Marchenko
Kent Johnson -- Boone Jenner -- Yegor Chinakhov
James van Riemsdyk -- Justin Danforth -- Mathieu Olivier
Zach Aston-Reese -- Sean Kuraly -- Luke Kunin
Zach Werenski -- Dante Fabbro
Denton Mateychuk -- Ivan Provorov
Jack Johnson -- Damon Severson
Daniil Tarasov
Elvis Merzlikins
Scratched: Jordan Harris, Christian Fischer,
Injured: Cole Sillinger (upper body), Erik Gudbranson (upper body), Sean Monahan (wrist), Jake Christensen (upper body)
Players to Watch
Pittsburgh — Sidney Crosby — Team Canada champion and captain is eyeing historic 20th point per game season. Sid is also on my fantasy team and has been red hot with 8 points in his last 5.
Columbus — Jack Johnson — former teammate of Crosby in junior and with the Penguins, the former cup winner has not scored a goal this season in his first year back in the Union Blue.
Predicted Final Score
PIT — 3
CBJ — 4
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