Jackets go on the road for the first time
It's not too often the Jackets get to play four games at home to start the season, but that's what happened. The CBJ finished 2-2 on the homestand with wins against the New York Rangers and Calgary Flames.
On Saturday Night, Columbus will take on their expansion cousin Minnesota Wild, a team they've had mixed success playing against in the two teams' brief history.
CBJ vs Wild History
- The Jackets are 31-26-7 all-time vs. the Wild, including 12-16-5 on the road.
- The Wild have won the last four games in Minnesota, and the last three overall in the series.
Jackets Notes
- Elvis Merzlikins should be coming back from an illness on Saturday. He thought he could go on Friday, but didn't feel right, so they pushed his comeback to today.
- Patrik Laine did not travel with the team. He took a high elbow from Rasmus Andersson on Friday, and it took a minute or two to get up. Will Andersson have to deal with the league for that hit? He was given a five-minute major, but it was after the final horn.
- Will the Jackets keep the same lineup for the defense for Saturday? If they do, that means another game Andrew Peeke will be scratched.
- Johnny Gaudreau has 20 points in 22 games against the Wild in his career. So far through 4 games he has 2 points, he needs to get going quickly if this team wants to succeed.
Wild Notes
- Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello pace the way for the Wild with 6 points through 4 games.
- The Wild are 2-2, and in their 2 losses, they're averaging 7 goals against per game.
- Neither Filip Gustavsson nor Marc-Andre Fleury haven't played particularly well. Both have a 3.50 GAA. But the bulk of those goals came in the two losses where they gave up 7 goals each.
Keys to the Game
- The Wild play a tough & physical game and the Jackets have to try to match that. The Wild have toughness and skill that will be hard to match, but they need to try to find some points on Saturday.
- Elvis Merzlikins hasn't played since last Saturday. He must come in and carry this team to a win.
- Without Patrik Laine, who will play the top center position? Will Adam Fantilli get his shot? Whoever takes that spot, will be expected to spark this team to a win. This won't be an easy game.
The Jackets are in for a battle tonight if they want to win.
Join Jason Newland's Columbus Blue Jacket page on Bunches, a new app that connects sports fans. Also, you can watch a new YouTube game show about the Blue Jackets, Around the Fifth Line.