The Columbus Blue Jackets continue the onslaught of games played in the Eastern Conference toilet bowl hosting the Ottawa Senators. Tonight’s contest is at 7pm from Bally Sports and Nationwide Arena with special guests the Grateful Dead!

Columbus welcomes the 2016 Cleveland Monsters goaltending tandem of Joonas Korpisalo and Anton Forsberg in this one. It will be an intriguing watch either way in the best of three matchup.

Ottawa had had quite the shakeup to the organization since the teams last met, from ownership down.

Eugene Melynk passed away from cancer over the summer.

New ownership bought the team from the Melynk estate for $950M.

Ownership hired Steve Staios; Oilers legend; as President of Hockey operations.

After the 2021 Evgeni Dadanov trade list mess, the league fined the Senators a first round pick of either 2024, 2025, or 2026.

General manager Pierre Dorion was fired as a result. Staios is now President and general manager.

In

Joonas Korpsialo signed as a free agent.

Zach MacEwen signed as a free agent.

Vladimir Tarasenko signed as a free agent for the season.

Dominik Kubalik was acquired via trade from Detroit alongside a first round pick and Donovan Serbango.

Boko Imama signed a short term deal alongside Josh Currie and Garrett Pilon.

Out

Columbus legend Nick Holden retired.

Cam Talbot signed with Los Angeles.

Alex DeBricant was dealt to Detroit.

Julien Gauthier signed with the NY Islanders.

Patrick Brown inked a deal with Boston.

Dylan Gambrell was scooped up by foe Toronto.

Scott Sabourin took his fists to San Jose.

Jakob Novak was traded to Montreal.

Ottawa was adding veteran experience over the summer to their young core in hopes they would be a playoff bubble team with Buffalo and Detroit. They sunk. It’s unfortunate for the city, but they got great players locked up to excellent term and dollar amounts. They will be a force sooner than we know. But for now, enjoy the basement with us.

Tonight they get back Thomas Chabot for the first time since October 26.

Columbus has Kent Johnson back on the main roster after a rough start to the year. He had excellent numbers and performances in the minors, which did not warrant him to be sent down to start with. Pascal Vincent needs him to play and produce now.

Johnson was brought up as Cole Sillinger was injured against Montreal. Johnson is getting thrown to the top line, as every line gets shuffled. The defense does not, and Eric Robinson becomes the extra forward for Mathieu Oliver.

Expect a Korpi v Merzi battle.

Projected Lineups

Ottawa Senators

Brady Tkachuk—Josh Norris—Claude Giroux
Mathieu Joseph—Tim Stüzle—Drake Batherson
Dominik Kubalik—Rourke Chatier—Vladimir Tarasenko
Parker Kelly—Matthew Highmore—Zach MacEwen

Thomas Chabot—Artem Zub
Jake Sanderson—Jakob Chychrun
Erik Branstrom—Travis Hamonic

Joonas Korpisalo
Anton Forsberg

Scratched - Jacob Bernard-Docker
Injured - Mark Kastelic, Ridley Greig
Suspended - Shane Pinto

Columbus Blue Jackets

Johnny Gaudreau—Boone Jenner—Kent Johnson
Justin Danforth—Adam Fantilli—Patrik Laine
Yegor Chinakov—Dmitri Vokornov—Kirill Marchenko
Alexandre Texier—Sean Kuraly—Mathieu Olivier

Zach Werenski—Adam Boqvist
Ivan Provorov—David Jiricek
Jake Bean—Erik Gudbranson

Elvis Merzlikins
Spencer Martin

Scratched - Eric Robinson, Andrew Peeke

Injured - Cole Sillinger, Jack Roslovic, Daniil Tarasov, Damon Severson

Players to Watch

Ottawa — Tim Stüzle - the most skilled Sen. 22 points in 17 games this season.

Columbus — Kent Johnson — he belongs here.

Predicted Final Score

OTT - 4

CBJ - 5

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