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CBJ G20 v Chicago Blackhawks - Bedard |
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The Columbus Blue Jackets return tor be ice for Thanksgiving Eve to battle the Chicago Blackhawks in their first meeting of the season.
Both teams are known recently for their top draft picks in Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli. Both were teammates for Team Canada at the December World Junior. Both are now on young building franchises with a focus on the future.
Chicago has had their franchise direction rewritten this summer, and are building a veteran leadership around the young Bedard.
Former Columbus captain Nick Foligno was moved with Taylor Hall of the last season President Trophy winners to the Hawks. Corey Perry and his Cup pedigree also came on board in a trade with the Bolts. Ryan Donato signed as a free agent.
The Hawks bought out Josh Bailey; and let Jujhar Kharia, Caleb Jones, Alex Stalock, and Andreas Englund walk. Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula were dealt to Boston for Hall and Foligno.
Chicago is dwindling toward the lottery after some early season upsets, but may home the Calder winner. This evening will be maybe the home game of the season.
Petr Mrazek versus Elvis tonight. This will be a battle of worse.
Eric Robinson is back on the main roster as Trey Fix-Wolnsky was sent down yesterday. Mathieu Olivier is the extra forward. With Damon Severson out with an oblique injury until the new year, Adam Boqvist is in. Andrew Peeke is the spare defender. Kirill Marchenko is on top line. Patrik Laine is back and is with roomate Adam Fantilli.
Projected Lineups
Chicago Blackhawks
Lukas Reichel—Connor Bedard—Philipp Kurashev
Taylor Hall—Tyler Johnson—Taylor Raddysh
Nick Foligno—Jason Dickinson—Corey Perry
Ryan Donato—Mackenzie Entwistle—Resse Johnson
Alex Vlasic—Seth Jones
Kevin Korchinski—Connor Murphy
Wyatt Kaiser—Nikita Zatisev
Petr Mrazek
Arvid Soderblom
Scratched - Isak Phillips, Boris Katchouk
Injured — Colin Blackwell, Jared Tinordi, Andreas Athansiou
Columbus Blue Jackets
Johnny Gaudreau—Boone Jenner—Kirill Marchenko
Dmitry Vokornov—Adam Fantili—Patrik Laine
Eric Robinson—Cole Sillinger—Yegor Chinakov
Alexandre Texier—Sean Kuraly—Justin Danforth
Zach Werenski—Adam Boqvist
Ivan Provorov—David Jiricek
Jake Bean—Erik Gubdranson
Elvis Merzlikins
Spencer Martin
Scratched - Mathieu Olivier, Andrew Peeke
Injured - Damon Severson, Jack Roslovic, Daniil Tarasov
Players to Watch
Bedard v Fantilli
This is all that it’s about. Which top pick will come out with the Calder?
Predicted Final Score
CHI - 2
CBJ - 3
Streak ends please!