The Columbus Blue Jackets continue their homestand and do battle with the Carolina Hurricanes tonight. The Hurricanes and Blue Jackets are doing contest for the first time this season, after spending the 2020 season in the Central division. In that shortened season, Carolina bested Columbus 4 of 6 times, outscoring them 20-13 in the contests.
Carolina is coming into the contest riding momentum from their social media stunts and victory over Montreal, with the hype around offseason acquisition in successfully offer sheeting center Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Speaking of the offseason, the Hurricanes also lost defender Dougie Hamilon; wingers Warren Foegle and Brock McGinn; center Cederic Paquette; and goaltenders Petr Mrazek, James Reimer, Jonathan Bernier, and Alex Nedeljkovic. Carolina added center Derek Stepan; winger Josh Levio; defenders Ethan Bear, Anthony DeAngelo, Ian Cole, and Brendan Smith; and goalies Frederik Andersen, Antti Raanta, and Alex Lyon.
Columbus is continuing to surprise the hockey world with their hot start, upsetting the New York Islanders in overtime. The Blue Jackets are also living in the hype of celebrating the first career goal of 2021 draft pick center Cole Sillinger. There has also been some buzz in the rumor market with Columbus, including defender Erik Branstrom from Ottawa; my suggestion in claiming center Alex Barre-Boullet, who was re-claimed by Tampa Bay; and around Buffalo center Jack Eichel.
Tonight, the Union Blue looks to continue their undefeated streak at home to start the season; Carolina is looking to keep their early season roll continuing. Columbus also comes into the lineup with two former Hurricanes draft selections in winger Gregory Hoffman and defenseman Jake Bean, both who were acquired in trades involving draft picks. Hoffman was acquired during the shortened season for a 2022 7th round pick; and Jake Bean was acquired for a 2021 2nd round draft pick.
Projected Lineups per Daily Faceoff
Carolina Hurricanes
Jesperi Kotkaniemi--Sebastian Aho--Teuvo Teravainen
Andrei Svechinkov--Vincent Trocheck--Martin Necas
Nino Niederreiter--Jordan Staal--Jesper Fast
Jordan Martinook--Derek Stepan--Steven Lorentz
Jacob Slavin--Ethan Bear
Brady Skjei--Brett Pesce
Ian Cole--Anthony DeAngelo
Frederik Andersen
Antti Raanta
Scratched-- Seth Jarvis, Brendan Smith
Injured-- Jake Gardiner, Jamieson Rees
Columbus Blue Jackets
Patrik Laine--Boone Jenner--Jakub Voracek
Gustav Nyqvist--Jack Roslovic--Oliver Bjorkstrand
Alexandre Texier--Cole Sillinger--Yegor Chinakov
Eric Robinson--Sean Kuraly--Gregory Hoffman
Zach Werenski--Jake Bean
Vladislav Gavrikov--Adam Boqvist
Dean Kukan--Andrew Peeke
Elvis Merzlikins
Jonas Korpisalo
Scratched-- Scott Harrington, Gabriel Carlsson, Justin Danforth
Injured-- Trey Fix-Wolansky, Max Domi, Nathan Gerbe, Emil Bemstrom
Carolina Player to Watch -- Andrei Svechinkov
Not to outdo the Kotkaniemi offer sheet, the Russian finisher was selected before him in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Svechinkov is beginning an 8 year, $62 million dollar contract signed this summer. The sniper is a superstar in the making in Raleigh, already being known around the league for bringing back the famous "Michigan" wraparound goal. Svech already has 4 goals and an assist in the teams first 3 games of the season, and could look to push toward the Rocket Richard Trophy in the near future.
Columbus Player to Watch -- Jake Bean
From going to a bottom pairing defenseman to the top pair, Bean should be looking to work harder tonight against the team that drafted and traded him. Bean has already matched his career high in goals in 4 games than his entire time with Carolina. Bean, being on the top pair, will also have the most experience against the Canes' core that is still there. This could hold a strong interest in tonight's contest.
Keys to Win
Follow the Leader. Jenner has been in front of the net deflecting pucks; and the rest the team has to follow the captain's example with crashing the net, and getting goals on the scoreboard. Jenner had a double deflection against the Islanders, and a standoff with Detroit to score. This should motivate the players to push results in front of the goaltender crease.
Finnish Flashes. Carolina and Columbus have superstar snipers, who are Finnish in Patrik Laine, Sebastian Aho, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. The offense between the Fin stars can lead one team to victory, and Laine is the most pure sniper between the three.
Slow Start Freddie. Frederik Andersen's stigma in his time with Toronto was that he was a slow starter in the month of October to get into regular season mode. That has seem to slowly fade in his first season in Carolina, but that does not mean to assume as a Columbus skater. Pucks on the net will go through if they go towards the net.
Thoughts on tonight's game?
More to come...
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