The Columbus Blue Jackets conclude their road trip with the last Western Conference team of the season. They are playing the first place wild card team in Nashville, with Jacket’s legend Gustav Nyquist and Columbus native Kiefer Sherwood.

The Jackets last played on Thursday after a four-zip shutout defeat in Sunrise. The Cats got their goals from Tkachuk; Rodrigues; Reinhart; and Tarasenko. Bobrovsky stopped all 25 shots for his 44th career shutout.

The Predators played last night and are on the back half of a back to back with travel. They won in Chicago last night.

There are no stakes for the Jackets in the standings. A win or loss keeps them clinched at 29th overall and last place in the Eastern Conference. If they beat Nashville, it may impact them as to whether or not they get Vancouver or Dallas in round one.

Alex Nylander is back. With his health the Jackets have relegated him to the fourth line and elevated Justin Danforth to the first line. Voronkov has moved to the wing.

Expect Jusse Saros in against Jet Greaves.

Projected Lineups

Nashville Predators

Filip Forsberg -- Ryan O'Reilly -- Gustav Nyquist

Mark Jankowski -- Colton Sissons -- Jason Zucker

Anthony Beauvillier -- Tommy Novak -- Luke Evangelista

Cole Smith -- Michael McCarron -- Kiefer Sherwood

Ryan McDonagh -- Roman Josi

Spencer Stastney -- Luke Schenn

Jeremy Lauzon -- Alexandre Carrier

Juuse Saros

Kevin Lankinen

Scratched: Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Tyson Barrie, Dante Fabbro, Troy Grosenick

Injured: None

Columbus Blue Jackets

Johnny Gaudreau -- Justin Danforth -- Dmitri Voronkov

Alexandre Texier -- Cole Sillinger -- Kirill Marchenko

Mikael Pyyhtia -- Sean Kuraly -- Mathieu Olivier

James Malatesta -- Trey Fix-Wolansky -- Alex Nylander

Zach Werenski -- Damon Severson

Ivan Provorov -- Erik Gudbranson

Nick Blankenburg -- David Jiricek

Jet Greaves

Malcolm Subban

Scratched: Brendan Gaunce

Injured: Carson Meyer (upper body), Adam Fantilli (calf laceration), Yegor Chinakhov (upper body), Adam Boqvist (upper body), Elvis Merzlikins (lower body), Jake Bean (broken hand), Daniil Tarasov (upper body), Boone Jenner (personal)

Players to Watch

Nashville — Ryan O’Reilly — the top center has been paired with his “Swedish meatballs” all season of Filip Forsberg and Gustav Nyquist. Good pro scouting by Trotz in year one.

Columbus — Erik Gudbranson — former Pred and on career high in goals.

Predicted Final Score

NSH — 3

CBJ — 2

More to come…

Join the Discussion: » 0 Comments » Post New Comment

» 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

» News and Notes — KJ91, Jiricek Rumors Swirling, New Lines