I should have stuck with GTFO with yesterdays story about frustration, but did not want to get dinged for a swear. Let’s do that hockey.

The Columbus Blue Jackets return home for their first regular season meeting of 2023-2024. The teams met in the opening day of the preseason with split squad action, so no need for me to do the roster turnover here.

However, since then, there has been a trade and two contract terminations by the Penguins.

Mark Friedman and Ty Glover were dealt to Vancouver for Karel Plasek and Jack Rathbone.

Plasek and Andreas Johnssson have agreed to contract terminations.

Pittsburgh is the second hottest team in the Metro, behind the Rangers. The Penguins are on a five game winning streak, including a dominating 10-2 win over San Jose. This will be an offensive battle with the old core four against the cold Columbus team.

With Patrik Laine back from concussion and Jack Roslovic out with a fractured ankle, the depth of the offense continues to be tested. Johnny Gaudreau has been demoted to the third line to get his game going. Tough go for the highest paid player. Chinny to the top. Confusing but okay. Might’ve gone with Danforth or Vokornov first at the rate they’re going. Gusdy’s production gets him in the top RHD to get Severson back going and Jiricek is back up for Peeke.

Merzlikins v Jarry is the goalie duel. Ride the hot hand in Pitt.

Projected Lineups

Pittsburgh Penguins

Jake Guentzel—Sidney Crosby—Bryan Rust
Reilly Smith—Evgeni Malkin—Rickard Rakell
Drew O’Connor—Lars Eller—Radim Zohorna
Matt Nieto—Noel Acciari—Vinne Hinostroza

Ryan Graves—Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson—Erik Karlsson
Ryan Shea—Chad Ruhwedel

Tristan Jarry
Magnus Hellberg

Injured — Alex Nedjelkovic, John Ludvig

Yegor Chinakov—Boone Jenner—Patrik Laine
Dmitry Vokornov—Adam Fantili—Kirill Marchenko
Johnny Gaudreau—Cole Sillinger—Emil Bemstrom
Alexandre Texier—Sean Kuraly—Justin Danforth

Zach Werenski—Erik Gudbranson
Ivan Provorov—Damon Severson
Jake Bean—David Jiricek

Elvis Merzlikins
Spencer Martin

Scratched - Adam Boqvist, Andrew Peeke,
Injured — Jack Roslovic, Daniil Tarasov


Players to Watch

Pittsburgh - Erik Karlsson — EK65 is the defending Norris winner and is in a roll.

Columbus - Erik Gudbranson - five points in last five. Pens legend.

Predicted Final Score

PIT - 4

CBJ - 3

OT/SO

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