The Columbus Blue Jackets return to the ice for the first time since Tuesday with a home tilt with the St. Louis Blues for the second and final time this season.

The last time they met was October 15, in game number 3 of the season.

Since then, both teams' seasons have spiraled downhill. We know ours.

The Blues sold and moved on from veterans Ryan O'Reilly, Vladimir Tarasenko, Ivan Barbashev; and Nikko Mikkola.

Jakub Vrana, Kasperi Kapanen, and Sammy Blais are the three main roster pieces to come back and help the team now. Other prospects and players added include Adam Gaudette, Rodin Amirov, Hunter Skinner, Zach Dean, and a plethora of draft picks in the next three drafts.

The Blues have hit the "reset" where the Jackets have hit then "oops" on the season.

With the lineups tonight, the Blues are rolling with their post deadline changes and working toward next season.

Columbus is beginning life without Elvis Merzlikins, and potentially for the season. Elvis has gone home to be with his ailing grandmother as she is in her biggest battle. Prayers to Merzlikins, his family, and the organization at this time and going forward through this time.

On the ice, Michael Hutchinson gets the go v St Louis.

Projected Lineups

St Louis Blues

Alexi Toropchenko--Robert Thomas--Jordan Kyrou
Jakub Vrana--Pavel Buchnevich--Kasperi Kapanen
Brandon Saad--Brayden Schenn--Sammy Blais
Nathan Walker--Nikita Alexandrov--Josh Levio

Nick Leddy--Colton Parayko
Marco Scandella--Justin Faulk
Torey Krug--Calle Rosen

Jordan Binnington
Thomas Greiss

Injured -- Jake Neighbours


Columbus Blue Jackets

Johnny Gaudreau--Boone Jenner--Patrik Line
Kent Johnson--Jack Roslovic--Emil Bemstrom
Liam Foudy--Lane Pederson--Kirill Marchenko
Eric Robinson--Cole Sillinger--Mathieu Olivier

Tim Breni--Erik Gudbranson
Gavin Bayreuther--Adam Boqvist
Nick Blankenburg--Andrew Peeke

Michael Hutchinson
Daniil Tarasov

Scratched -- Elvis Merzlikins
Injured -- Zach Werenski, Jake Bean, Justin Danforth, Sean Kuraly

Players to Watch

St Louis -- Brandon Saad -- the former CBJ is the easy choice

Columbus -- Johnny Gaudreau -- another western foe means more points


Predicted Final Score

STL - 4
CBJ - 3
OT/SO

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