The Columbus Blue Jackets wrap up their western road trips with a back to back series in California stretching through tonight and tomorrow. First on the sheet is the resurgence of the Los Angeles Kings, who have gotten themselves back into playoff contention after firing their head coach during the All Star break.

A struggling Pierre Luc-Dubois in year one of a $70M contract with a team worst -16 may be a reason, but the veteran trio of Copley/Rittich/Talbot may also factor. The secondary scoring has not been stellar. But they are very close to being back to their winning ways in the early 2010s.

The Kings will be alright after this, but if they are in the hunt for Jusse Saros or John Gibson, watch out!

Columbus is riding the excitement of the Shoe and a win over San Jose, their first after the dismissal of Kekalainen last week. Vincent has benched Bemstrom for Olivier. Danforth was bumped up to the third line. Merzlikins goes.

Projected Lineups

Los Angeles Kings

Kevin Fiala -- Anze Kopitar -- Adrian Kempe
Trevor Moore -- Phillip Danault --Viktor Arvidsson
Alex Laferriere -- Pierre-Luc Dubois -- Quinton Byfield
Jaret Anderson-Dolan -- Alex Turcotte -- Trevor Lewis
Mikey Anderson -- Drew Doughty
Vladislav Gavrikov -- Matt Roy
Andreas Englund -- Brandt Clarke
Cam Talbot
David Rittich
Scratched: Jordan Spence, Arthur Kaliyev
Injured: Carl Grundstrom (lower body), Blake Lizotte (lower body)

Columbus Blue Jackets

Johnny Gaudreau -- Boone Jenner -- Jack Roslovic
Yegor Chinakhov -- Dmitri Voronkov -- Kirill Marchenko
Kent Johnson -- Cole Sillinger -- Justin Danforth
Alexandre Texier -- Sean Kuraly -- Mathieu Olivier
Zach Werenski -- Adam Boqvist
Ivan Provorov -- Damon Severson
Jake Bean -- Erik Gudbranson
Elvis Merzlikins
Daniil Tarasov
Scratched: Andrew Peeke, Emil Bemstrom
Injured: Adam Fantilli (calf), Patrik Laine (upper body)


Players to Watch

Los Angeles - Quinton Byfield - he is on the cusp. 40 points in 51 games for the highest drafted African Canadian in league history. Breakout year continues

Columbus - Johnny Gaudreau - 7 apples in his last 7 games. The heater continues.

Predicted Final Score

LA - 4

CBJ - 3

Join the Discussion: » 1 Comments » Post New Comment

» Be the GM — Jiricek

» CBJ Hockey Fights Cancer Night Goes High Scoring

» Hit List - Johnson, Lindstrom, Jiricek, Olivier  

» CBJ G17 @ Montreal Canadiens — On the Road Again

» CBJ G16 v Pittsburgh Penguins — Crosby Watch; Letang Illness