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The Columbus Blue Jackets return home to take on the New York Islanders in a Metropolitan clash. This is the first team within the division that the Blue Jackets will have faced in the season. This will also be the most experienced coach to date that Brad Larsen has faced in Barry Trotz, but the Islanders are in the midst of a 13 game road trip before debuting at their new arena in Queens, New York. The Islanders are the kings of the Metro Division, even though they are not the regular season team. This team stays within the middle of the road within the regular season, but have made it to the Stanley Cup Semifinals against the Tampa Bay Lightning the last two seasons, and fell short each team as they captured the Stanley Cup twice.

The New York Islanders made some franchise altering moves this summer to bring in pedigree at the cost of chemistry. The Islanders protected grinders Matt Martin, Casey Cizkas, and Cal Clutterbuck to expose winger Jordan Eberle to the Seattle Kraken; they traded defenseman Nick Leddy to the Detroit Red Wings; and lost veterans Braydon Couburn and Travis Zajac (retirement). The Islanders brought in winger Richard Panik in the Leddy swap; and veterans in center Andy Anderoff; winger Zach Parise, who was bought out this past summer by Minnesota; and defenseman Zdeno Chara, who was part of the Washington Capitals last season, but returns to the team that first drafted him. The Islanders are a complete team under Barry Trotz, and will roll through this season, and will have a healthy captain in winger Andres Lee.

Columbus is looking to rebound after a backbreaking loss from Tuesday night to Detroit, and will look to prevent becoming a 500 team this early in the season. Columbus' hot start has sparked the fans interest, but how long will it last with the players that produce for the Union Blue? In terms of the Columbus lineup, Yegor Chinakov and Oliver Bjorkstrand are swapping linemates to spark chemistry, and balance the veteran experience with the youth on the offense; and Scott Harrington replaces Dean Kukan in the lineup. Finally, it sounds like Elvis Merzlikins will start tonight back at home.


Projected Lineups


New York Islanders

Andres Lee--Matthew Barzal--Kyle Palmieri
Anthony Beauvillier--Brock Nelson--Josh Bailey
Zach Parise--Jean-Gabriel Pageau--Oliver Wahlstrom
Matt Martin--Casey Cizkas--Cal Clutterbuck

Adam Pelech--Scott Mayfield
Zdeno Chara--Ryan Pullock
Andy Greene--Noah Dobson

Ilya Sorokin
Cory Schneider

Injured: Semyon Varlamov

Columbus Blue Jackets

Patrik Laine--Boone Jenner--Jakub Voracek
Gustav Nyqvist--Jack Roslovic--Yegor Chinakov
Alexandre Texier--Cole Sillinger--Oliver Bjorkstrand
Eric Robinson--Sean Kuraly--Gregory Hoffman

Zach Werenski--Jake Bean
Vladislav Gavrikov--Adam Boqvist
Scott Harrington--Andrew Peeke

Elvis Merzlikins
Jonas Korpisalo

Scratched: Dean Kukan
Injured-- Max Domi, Emil Bemstrom, Nathan Gerbe



NY Islanders Player to Watch -- C Matthew Barzal

The undisputed number one center on the island, Barzal is continue to grow in the best ways for his development and for his team. The 16th overall selection of 2015 was a more offensive player that has evolved into a more two way player under Trotz. Even though the Isles are off to a rough start, the top C man has a goal in three games. Watch for him to lead in scoring this season in New York, and to get his team out of the early funk.


CBJ Player to Watch-- LD Zach Werenski

With a defensive matchup looming, look for Columbus' top defenseman to compete with defensive unit of the Islanders system. In three games, the number one d-man has a goal and two assists for three points. After competing with his buddy Larkin in Detroit, its time to compete for points within the Metro Division.



Keys to Wining the Game


1. Goaltending. This will be a defensive matchup between Sorokin and Merzlikins, and if Merzi keeps himself focused and upbeat against the strong Islanders team, this game could be an upset. With the rough road trip for the Islanders' commencement of the 2021-2022 regular season, Columbus could jump on them with a stronger tandem than the Islanders do with the absence of goalie Semyon Varlamov.



2. Discipline. After four minors, including a 5-on-3 attempt against Detroit, Columbus needs to play mannered hockey against a team that can capitalize on any opportunity in New York.




3. Score. The Jackets have lots of scoring talent with the kids and Patrik Laine on the ice, and they need to get past the strong Islanders defense. It is going to be the way to outsmart Trotz at home for Larsen.





Final Prediction

Islanders -- 2
Jackets -- 1

F/ OT


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