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CBJ G45 @ New Jersey Devils |
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The Columbus Blue Jackets are back on home ice for a divisional matchup against the New Jersey Devils tonight at 7P from MSG and Bally Sports Ohio. Tonight determines the season series, as this is the final time they these Metro foes collide for the 23-24 season.
Columbus is stoked to have the return of captain and All Star center Boone Jenner. Tonight, he draws in between Adam Fantilli and Jack Roslovic.
Roslovic on the top line makes case to display his value with an All Star and boost his trade price.
Fantilli to the left wing is inconsistent with the belief of a natural top line center in the draft. Not the place he will develop. Better to get Boone there in his first game back to eventual move him back down the middle.
With Jenner back, David Jiricek was sent to Cleveland to get top minutes. Emil Bemstrom becomes the 13th forward and Olivier becomes the 14th. Martin just claimed off waivers by Carolina.
New Jersey continues to struggle this season unlike last, nearing a 0.500 winning percentage while on a cusp of a new losing streak.
The Devils have been rattled with injuries and goaltending woes. Jersey is without their top defender Dougie Hamilton and forward Jack Hughes. Ondrej Palat, Jonas Sigenthaler, Tomas Nosek, and Brendan Smith are also out.
Lindy Ruff in the media called the folks in the crowd out for their struggles the see the game and struggles with youngster Alexander Holtz.
Vanacek is in against Elvis, as Merzlikins continues to prove himself on the trade market. Currently, nobody has made a serious offer. Columbus is poised to do right by Merzi, as they agree with a new scenario for the goaltender and organization.
Projected Lineups
New Jersey Devils
Tyler Toffoli—Nico Hischer—Jesper Bratt
Timo Meier—Michael McLeod—Dawson Mercer
Erik Haula—Curtis Lazar—Nathan Bastian
Maxwell Willman—Chris Tierney—Alexander Holtz
John Marino—Simon Nemec
Luke Hughes—Colin MIller
Kevin Bahl—Cal Foote
Vitek Vanacek
Nico Daws
Injured — Dougie Hamilton, Jack Hughes, Ondrej Palat, Jonas Sigenthaler, Brendan Smith
Columbus Blue Jackets
Adam Fantilli—Boone Jenner—Jack Roslovic
Johnny Gaudreau—Cole Sillinger—Yegor Chinakov
Kent Johnson—Dmitry Voronkov—Kirill Marchenko
Alexandre Texier—Sean Kuraly—Justin Danforth
Damon Severson—Adam Boqvist
Ivan Provorov—Andrew Peeke
Jake Bean—Erik Gudbranson
Elvis Merzlikins
Daniil Tarasov
Scratched — Emil Bemstrom, Mathieu Olivier,
Players to Watch
New Jersey — Alexandre Holtz - top prospect and being called out by coach, rough spot.
Columbus — Boone Jenner — the Cap is back!
Predicted Final Score
NJD - 2
CBJ - 3
OT/SO
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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