Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New Jersey Devils Preview
The Jackets will finally play a team without a lengthy win streak. New Jersey comes into Columbus having dropped 4 of 5, and are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games.
The Jackets have lost two straight to the Devils after beating them in Jersey on November 24th. The CBJ will get the Devils without superstar Jack Hughes who suffered an upper-body injury earlier in January. Since the last game Hughes has played, the Devils are 1-3-1.
The Devils are currently 7th in the Metro, 12th in the East, and 20th in the NHL.
Three Keys
- Welcome Back Captain - Boone Jenner is back, and he'll be on a line with Adam Fantilli and Jack Roslovic. As he was gearing up for his return, and while in practice he was standing in front of the net tipping shots. Jenner is a warrior and should be back to normal sooner rather than later.
- Bring Out The Monster Elvis Merzlikins - Elvis said he was going to bring the monster out of him. So as long as he's still with the CBJ, everyone hopes he plays like he did against Vancouver. He needs to control his emotions and stay calm.
- One Last Time For The Nationwide Crowd - This will be the final home game until February 10th. Until then, they will be on the Western Canada/Seattle trip, as well as at St. Louis before the All-Star break and mandatory week off. Let it loose and let the fans go home happy until February.
Series History vs. New Jersey
- Columbus is 16-9-0 all-time inside NWA, going 28-18-4 in all meetings.
- The Jackets are 16-6-2 in the last 24 games vs. the Devils.
- New Jersey has won 2 of 3 this season.
Who to watch for New Jersey
- Jesper Bratt has 16 goals and 46 points on the season.
- Tyler Toffoli has 16 goals and 29 points.
- Nico Daws is 3-3 with a save % of .916 on the season. He's also started the last three games for the Devils.
- Vitek Vanecek is 14-7-2 with an .882 save %.
CBJ Player Notes vs. New Jersey
- Johnny Gaudreau has 25 points in 19 career games.
- Adam Boqvist has 4 points in 6 career games.
- Boone Jenner has 19 points in 33 career games.
Injuries
- Patrik Laine (clavicle fracture) is on Injured Reserve retroactive to Dec. 14 (Approx. 6 Weeks); 13 games
- Nick Blankenburg (upper body) is on Injured Reserve retroactive to Dec. 19 (day-to-day); 11 games
- Zach Werenski (ankle); is on Injured Reserve on Dec. 29 (Approx. 4-to-6 Weeks); 8 games
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 169
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.