Delaying the recap of the last game as back today backs are quick turn around times for all. It’ll be a double recap tomorrow.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have a quick turnaround this evening with a 6pm tilt with the Florida Panthers, off their back to back with a Calgary.

Florida made plenty of changes to their roster this summer, with the additions of the Staal brothers, Matthew Tkachuk, Nick Cousins, Chris Tierney, Michael Del Zotto, Colin White, Anthony Bitetto, Alex Lyon, and Gerald Mayhew.

In the summer, they lost Jonathan Hubderdeau, Mackenzie Weeager, and Cole Schwindt in the Tkachuk move. Claude Giroux signed with Ottawa. Ben Chariot and Robert Hagg went to Detroit. Markus Nutivarra signed with San Jose. Noel Accari moved to St. Louis. Mason Marchment went to Dallas. Maxim Mamin went to the KHL. Petteri Lindholm signed with Sweeden. Chase Priskie moved to Rochester. Goalie Joonas Johansson was claimed by Colorado; and Rudolf Balcers was claimed by Tampa Bay.

For the Panthers, former Jacket Anthony Duclair is out long term; and Sergei Bobrovsky will get between the pipes.

For Columbus, Elvis Merzlikins has gone to the IR; Jack Roslovic is game time; and Daniil Tarasov will get the go. Zach Werenski has gone on LTIR to confirm it’s the end of the season for him and to help the Columbus salary cap.

Projected Lineups

Florida Panthers

Carter Verhaehge—Alex Barkov—Colin White
Eetu Lustorainen—Sam Bennett—Matthew Tkachuk
Ryan Lomberg—Anton Lundell—Sam Reinhart
Nick Cousins—Eric Staal—Patric Hornqvist

Gustav Forsling—Aaron Ekblad
Marc Staal—Brandon Montour
John Mahura—Radko Gudas

Sergei Bobrovsky
Spencer Knight

Scratched —
Injured — Anthony Duclair


Columbus Blue Jackets

Johnny Gaudreau—Boone Jenner—Emil Bemstrom
Gustav Nyquist—

Players to Watch

I’m going to combine this as it’s Gaudreau v Tkachuk. The two former Flames together have 39 points in 33 games this season (13 goals, 16 assists). Kadri, Weegar, and Hubderdeau combine for 27 points in 48 games. Appears to be a bad short term move in Calgary to lose their star wingers.

Prediction

Florida 3-2

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