The Columbus Blue Jackets kick off the 2024-2025 home games tonight after two games on the road out west. They split those games with one regulation win and one regulation loss. Tonight, they host the injury tested and battle scarred Florida Panthers, the reigning and defending 2024 Stanley Cup champions.

Tonight’s coverage will start at 6pm EST on the NHL Network to honor and celebrate the lives of Matthew and John Gaudreau, which were taken from us August 29, 2024 in Southern New Jersey in a drunk driven accident while they were on bicycle. It was after the late sister’s rehearsal dinner the evening before her wedding day in Philadelphia, PA.

News has already come out that the late father and former coach Guy Gaudreau skated with the Blue Jackets roster at practice on Monday, the 14th. Gaudreau was invited to practice by Dean Evason in preparation for tonight’s event. The franchise is stating it was a “joy” to have him on the ice.

Tribute Details per Craig Merz NHL.com Independent Correspondent

In addition to the pregame tribute to the Gaudreau brothers, the Blue Jackets have found other ways to honor them, including a helmet sticker with the numbers 13 for Johnny and 21, the number Matthew wore when they played together at Boston College.
The Blue Jackets also are wearing a No. 13 patch on their jerseys and the No. 13 has been placed on the ice behind each net.

The Blue Jackets have another tribute to Johnny that Evason was happy to share with Guy, who was known for coaching his sons hard.

At the end of each practice, a player is selected to shoot the puck from one end into an open net at the other end.
"We call it the Johnny Skate," Evason said. "If he makes it in the net, it's a one-lap [skate] for the players. If he misses, it's three laps. One-three [13]."

No one is sure how the players and coaches will react to the ceremony Tuesday, which will be attended by members of the Gaudreau family.

Other Details of How Johnny Hockey is Being Celebrated in Columbus

Locker room stall of Gaudreau will be at the home ice all season.

Player of the game donkey hat now awarded to best player of the game. Tribute to the times Johnny would call his friends and teammates a “donkey”. This has replaced the kepi, a flat-top hat honoring the Blue Jackets' connection to the Union army in the Civil War. Only recipient this season so far has been Sean Monahan after his three point performance against Colorado.

Elvis Merzlikins having the number 13 and a plain plate of pasta on his helmet.

Out

Forward Kyle Okposo retired from pro hockey after winning the Cup.

Defenders Josh Mahura and Brandon Montour signed with Seattle.

Defender Oliver Ekman-Larsson and goaltender Anthony Stolarz signed with Toronto. Forward Stephen Lorentz signed with Toronto after a PTO, following through on his yearbook promise from 15 years ago.

Forward Ryan Lomberg returned to Calgary.

Forward Vladimir Tarasenko signed with Detroit to reunite with Patrick Kane.

Forward Kevin Stenlund signed with the relocation Utah HC.

Defender Lucas Carlsson signed with the Sharks.

Defender Casey Fitzgerald signed with the Rangers.

Forward Nick Cousins joined the Senators.

Goalie Magnus Hellberg signed with the Stars.

In

The Boqvist brothers signed 8 days apart but are in Florida. Adam was bought out by Columbus this summer.

Defenders Nate Schmidt and Jaycob Megna singed as depth.

Forwards AJ Greer and Tomas Nosek reunite after time in Boston.

Goalie Chris Dreidger returns to Florida.

Preview

Florida is hurting early. Alex Barkov and Aaron Ekblad both suffered injuries in games. Matthew Tkachuk is ill. Tomas Nosek was injured in preseason. This is not the team that won in June.

Two former Blue Jackets return to Nationwide Arena including Sergei Bobrovsky and Adam Boqvist.

This is their first matchup of three for the campaign. The calendar has them facing off twice in March after this bout.

Anton Lundell and Sam Bennett are stepping up offensively with the absences to the Cats’ stars.


Keys to Victory

1. Emotion — this is Johnny’s night. Play with heart.

2. Play by Committee — these are the cup champs. Everyone has to be bought in to upset the Cats on the road.

3. Injuries — No Barkov, Tkachuk, and Ekblad is questionable.

Projected Lineups


Florida Panthers

Carter Verhaeghe—Sam Bennett—Evan Rodrigues
Eetu Luostarinen—Anton Lundell—Sam Reinhart
A.J. Greer—Jesper Boqvist—Mackie Samoskevich
Jonah Gadjovich—Patrick Giles

Gustav Forsling—Aaron Ekblad
Niko Mikkola—Dmitry Kulikov
Uvis Balinskis—Nate Schmidt
Adam Boqvist

Sergei Bobrovsky
Spencer Knight

Scratched: None

Injured: Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Tomas Nosek


Columbus Blue Jackets

Yegor Chinakov—Sean Monahan—Kirill Marchenko
James van Riemsdyk—Adam Fantilli—Kevin Labanc
Mikkael Pyyhita—Cole Sillinger—Kent Johnson
Zach Aston-Reese—Sean Kuraly—Mathieu Olivier

Zach Werenski—Ivan Provorov
Jake Christiansen—Damon Severson
Jordan Harris—Erik Gudbranson

Elvis Merzlikins
Daniil Tarasov

Scratched — Dylan Gambrell, David Jiricek, Jack Johnson

Injured — Boone Jenner, Gavin Brindley, Max McCue, Jordan Dumais, Justin Danforth, Dmitry Voronkov

Players to Watch

Colorado — Sam Reinhart — 59 goals last year. 5 points in 3 games already. Signed his massive extension.

Columbus — Jordan Harris — the return for Laine is expected to make his Blue Jackets’ debut tonight.

Predicted Final Score

CBJ : 2

FLA : 1

Obituaries

https://www.danjolell.com/obituary/john-michael-gaudreau/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYM9fikwQbNkPlcwmTBaP2udJZw1oMBCmyXjp-GyttBpDhIoWnqY8lxQSQ_aem_zW3gpaArqsSO7D5ZI-Pdog

https://www.danjolell.com/obituary/matthew-ryan-gaudreau/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZ33XNOJYMaSDfXxs3NcH7AY99EWfo9ObneKgMrpds4HwrC3U6Gkj0igr0_aem_qqWUcGWcBFf0sebC0an4RQ

Want to support the Gaudreau family? Here’s several ways how:


https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-madeline-and-baby-tripp-after-tragedy - Donate to Gaudreau Family Fund. At the time of writing it is at $691K

https://youtu.be/7ax8zyd8nk0?si=xoI63iohdyn2vVvD - View Johnny B Goode Tribute - personal touch. Loved this slowed down clip by the voice of Calgary. Skip to the 25 second mark.


https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/giving - Nationwide Children's Hospital (Johnny's widow, Meredith's workplace) support the children today.

https://foundation.ohiohealth.com/ - Ohio Health Foundation (where donations from a joint mental health charity drive from Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine went) Johnny joined the mission after Laine attended the NHLPA assistance club last season

https://www.childrenshospital.ab.ca/ways-to-help/donate/ - Alberta Children's Hospital for those in need and touched by the loss

https://kidsportcanada.ca/donate/ - Donate to the Youth Sporting Charity in Canada (Johnny Gaudreau donated for money each goal he scored to the Calgary chapter)

https://sniderhockey.org/support-snider/ - the Philadelphia Youth Hockey Charity (where Johnny and Matthew are from and started their youth hockey)

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