The Columbus Blue Jackets are on the road again for a back to back weekend with travel, kicking things off with the new hottest team in the Metropolitan against the Washington Capitals. Puckdrop is at 7:30 from Bally Sports and Comcast Sportsnet.

Columbus and Washington played at the beginning of the month, where the losing streak began in DC. Washington is on a three game winning streak.

Washington is a well rested team, last playing on Tuesday in a shutout statement 3-0 win over the defending cup champions Vegas Golden Knights.

The Capitals were off to a slow start, and lost center Nicklas Backstorm due to ongoing hip problems, with their leading scoring being Dylan Strome (and not Ovi? Worrying that might change tonight).

The veterans backups - Charlie Lindgren and Hunter Sheppard - have been the boat anchors for them this season when Darcy Kuemper has not. The veteran core is leading in production and time on ice, but the kids are heating up.

Columbus needs a number one goalie win with a 0.930 or above to win. That’s the only way Elvis wins for them this season aside puck luck.

The offense is coming from the defense as the kids are still figuring it out.

Adam Fantilli had 10 shots on goal on Thursday, and maybe one may squeak in tonight against Washington.

Trey Fix-Wolansky is up full time with the Jackets as Emil Bemstorm has been sent to AHL Cleveland to get more games in. TFW was in the top 10 in AHL point scoring.

Tonight, once the puck is dropped, Columbus captain Boone Jenner will have played in the highest number of games in Blue Jackets history at 675.

It is anticipated to be Elvis v Kuemp.

Projected Lineups

Washington Capitals

Alex Ovechkin—Evgney Kuznetsov—Tom Wilson
Sonny Milano—Dylan Strome—TJ Oshie
Aliaksei Protas—Connor McMichael—Anthony Mantha
Beck Malenstyn—Nic Dowd—Matthew Phillips

Lucas Johansen—John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin—Trevor van Riemsdyk
Alexander Alexeyev—Nick Jensen

Darcy Kuemper
Charlie Lindgren

Scratched — Nicole Aube-Kuebel, Dylan McIlrath, Hunter Sheppard

Injured — Max Paccioretty, Nicklas Backstrom, Joel Edmundson, Martin Fehervary


Columbus Blue Jackets

Johnny Gaudreau—Patrik Laine—Yegor Chinakov
Dmitry Vokornov—Adam Fantilli—Kirill Marchenko
Cole Sillinger—Boone Jenner—Trey Fix-Wolansky
Alexandre Texier—Sean Kuraly—Justin Danforth

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

Elvis Merzlikins
Spencer Martin

Scratched — Mathieu Olivier, Andrew Peeke, Adam Boqvist

Injured — Jack Roslovic, Daniil Tarasov


Players to Watch

Washington — Sonny Milano — former Blue Jackets players go do Blue Jackets things. Scores earlier in the month, might again. Remember the Shore for Milano trade? Kek…

Columbus — Boone Jenner — his tenure is undeniable. Most games played in Columbus of all time. Tonight is his flowers.

Predicted Final Score

CBJ - 1

WSH - 4

Join the Discussion: » 0 Comments » Post New Comment

» Be the GM — Jiricek

» CBJ Hockey Fights Cancer Night Goes High Scoring

» Hit List - Johnson, Lindstrom, Jiricek, Olivier  

» CBJ G17 @ Montreal Canadiens — On the Road Again

» CBJ G16 v Pittsburgh Penguins — Crosby Watch; Letang Illness