The Columbus Blue Jackets conclude the preseason with an even record of 4-4-0. The Blue Jackets dropped their final two games of the preseason to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The final home game resulted in a 3-1 defeat. The road game wound up to a dominating 7-3 loss in Pittsburgh.
Cole Sillinger scored the only Columbus goal at home. Elvis Merzlikins had 21 saves on 23 shots. Pittsburgh had their efforts from Valterri Puustinen, Jonathan Gruden, and Kevin Hayes. Tristan Jarry had 33 saves.
Columbus had their three goals from Mikkael Pyyhita; Cole Clayton; and Kent Johnson. Daniil Tarasov had 18 saves on 25 shots for a 0.720 save percentage.
Pittsburgh got their final goals from Noel Accari (2); Richard Rakkell; Jesse Puljujarvi; Rutger McGroarty; and Lars Eller (2). Joel Bolmqvist had 26 saves on 29 shots faced for a 0.897 save percentage.
Injuries Worsen
The Blue Jackets will now start the opening night lineup without the services of captain Boone Jenner and sophomore Dmitry Voronkov. Yegor Chinakov is also questionable. All three have upper body injuries. Voronkov is confirmed to be long term. Jenner and Chinny were both hurt in practice.
If all three are our alongside Gavin Brindley and Justin Danforth, this is my projected opening night lineup
Forwards
James van Riemsdyk — Sean Monahan — Kirill Marchenko
Kent Johnson — Adam Fantilli — Trey Fix-Wolansky
James Malatesta — Cole Sillinger — Dylan Gambrell
Mikkael Pyyhita — Sean Kuraly — Mathieu Olivier
Zach Werenski — Damon Severson
Ivan Provorov — David Jiricek
Danton Mateychuk — Erik Gudbranson
Elvis Merzlikins
Daniil Tarasov
Spares: Jordan Harris, Jack Johnson, Jet Greaves
This is if all five forwards are out. We will see as we head toward Minnesota on Thursday.
Congratulations to Artem Anisimov on retirement.
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»