The Columbus Blue Jackets look to continue their winning streak as they travel to St. Louis for the only time this season. The Blue Jackets have an early 7pm start against the Blues for the second and final time this season.

It will also be the third and final time Columbus sees Jim Montgomery, who the Jackets have bested twice this season.

In the new calendar year, the Blues have won both their games at home; and lost both on the road. St. Louis is on a four game homestand, and started with celebrating the 1,000 game silver stick for veteran defenseman Cam Fowler.

Columbus continues to be red hot with four point per game players, including Luca Del
Bel Belluz; Sean Monahan; Kirill Marchenko: and Zach Werenski. The Blue Jackets have Cole Sillinger back after missing the last game with illness; Jack Johnson remains out with Jordan Harris.

Jordan Binnington is expected to get the green light against Elvis Merzlikins.

Keys to Win

1. Hot Kids — the Russian young scorers and prospect recalls from the AHL have come together to form a wagon.
2. Offense from Defense — the Jackets are first in the National with defensive goal scoring.
3. Shut the Scorers — Holloway; Thomas; and Kyrou have led the Blues’ offense, but the Jackets need to shut the doors

Projected Lineups

St. Louie Blues

Brandon Saad -- Robert Thomas -- Pavel Buchnevich
Dylan Holloway -- Brayden Schenn -- Jordan Kyrou
Jake Neighbours -- Mathieu Joseph -- Zack Bolduc
Alexey Toropchenko -- Nathan Walker -- Alexandre Texier

Cam Fowler -- Colton Parayko
Philip Broberg -- Justin Faulk
Ryan Suter -- Tyler Tucker

Jordan Binnington
Joel Hofer

Scratched: Scott Perunovich

Injured: Radek Faksa (lower body), Nick Leddy (lower body), Oskar Sundqvist (illness)

Columbus Blue Jackets

Dmitri Voronkov -- Adam Fantilli -- Kirill Marchenko
James van Riemsdyk -- Cole Sillinger -- Kent Johnson
Zach Aston-Reese -- Luca Del Bel Belluz -- Mathieu Olivier
Mikael Pyyhtia -- Sean Kuraly -- Kevin Labanc

Zach Werenski -- Dante Fabbro
Denton Mateychuk -- Ivan Provorov
Damon Severson -- Jake Christiansen

Elvis Merzlikins
Jet Greaves

Scratched: Jordan Harris, Jack Johnson

Injured: Yegor Chinakhov (upper body), Justin Danforth (lower body), Boone Jenner (shoulder), Erik Gudbranson (shoulder), Jack Johnson (illness)

Players to Watch

St. Louis — Brandon Saad — this could be the last time the Jackets see Saad in a Blues’ jersey as the Pittsburgh native is rumored to be on the block. The winger has 16 points this season with the Blues.

Columbus — Adam Fantilli — the Michigan alumni is one goal away from becoming the seventh Blue Jackets’ skater this season to score 10 goals.

Predicted Final Score

STL - 3

CBJ - 4

Gambling Corner

The Blues are the favorites to win at a -180.

The Blue Jackets are a +150, meaning an extra $50 bucks if you wager $100 for the Columbus victory.

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