Columbus Blue Jackets (58 pts) vs. Arizona Coyotes (63 pts) Game Preview
Only five points separate the Columbus Blue Jackets and Arizona Coyotes in the reverse power rankings. I would call it the race for Celebrini, but both of these teams will probably have no shot at the top pick.
Instead, they will play a hockey game, that on the surface means nothing, but in the long run, it could mean the difference between a good draft pick, and a really good draft pick.
Arizona comes into the game having gone 4-6 in the last 10 games, and alternating wins and losses in the last 4. One positive the Coyotes can take from this season is that they have an 18-17 record at home. They're currently the only team in the bottom 6 with a winning record in their own arena. So if CBJ fans thought they were going to waltz in and win this game, they may be in for a shock. Arizona also beat the CBJ on the road at NWA back on November 16th by a score of 3-2. The Coyotes have been much improved this season even though their record doesn't show it.
Arizona is currently 7th in the Central Division, 13th in the West, and 28th in the NHL.
Series History vs. The Coyotes
- Columbus is 13-15-5 all-time in Arizona, and 29-30-7 in all other meetings.
- The Jackets are 10-4-1 in the last 15 but are 0-2-1 in the last 3.
- The Blue Jackets are 6-0-1 in the last 7 games played in Arizona.
Who To Watch For The Coyotes
- Clayton Keller has 30 goals and 62 points on the season.
- Matias Meccelli has 35 assists and 46 points.
- Goalie Connor Ingram is 19-19-3 with a .908 save %. He also has 6 shutouts on the year.
- Karel Vejmelka is 10-17-2 with a save % of .899.
CBJ Player Notes vs. The Coyotes
- Johnny Gaudreau has 30 points in 30 games.
- Boone Jenner has 13 points in 17 games.
- Damon Severson has 11 points in 16 games.
- Zach Werenski has 9 points in 11 games.
Injuries
- Patrik Laine (clavicle fracture-Dec. 14; NHL Player Assistance Program-Jan. 28); 17 games (for injury)
- Adam Fantilli (calf laceration on Jan. 28); expected to miss 8 weeks (22 games)
- Kent Johnson (shoulder injury on Feb. 28); out the rest of the season (13 games)
- Justin Danforth (concussion on Mar. 7); out indefinitely (8 games)
- Yegor Chinakhov (upper-body injury on Mar. 12); is day-to-day (6 games)
- Sean Kuraly (lower-body injury on Mar. 12); is week-to-week (6 games)
- Adam Boqvist (upper-body injury on Mar. 14); out indefinitely (5 games)
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 243
How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on Bally Sports Ohio. As always, the legendary Jeff Rimer will be on the play-by-play. The radio broadcast will be on 105.7 FM with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.
More From THN Columbus
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.