The Columbus Blue Jackets have picked up three points in their last two road games and will be able to close out the road trip on a high note in Ontario.
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| OTTAWA SENATORS |
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13–17–2 (28 points) ROSTER / SCHEDULE |
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1 P.M. – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 CANADIAN TIRE CENTRE OTTAWA, ON |
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FOX SPORTS OHIO FOX SPORTS GO |
The Ottawa Senators are 2-2-1 in their last five games and are struggling in the standings similarly to the the Jackets, but unlike the Jackets they have three players with 20 points or more including former Jacket Anthony Duclair, who has 22 points and 15 goals this season.
After two tough games against the Coyotes and Rangers, Joonas Korpisalo is back on track after two strong games on the road. Korpisalo will likely get the start again tonight and look to continue his strong performances.
Cam Atkinson seems to be back in the groove after picking up four points in his last five game - including three goals - Dubois and Nyquist have taken a step back in production. If the Jackets want to continue to pick up points, getting all three of these forwards rolling at the same time will be important.
Here's a look at tonight's projected lines for the Blue Jackets:
Forwards
Nyquist–Texier–Atkinson
Foligno–Jenner–Anderson
Milano–Dubois–Bjorkstrand
Wennberg–Nash–Robinson
Defenseman
Kukan–Jones
Murray–Savard
Gavrikov–Peeke
Projected Starter: Korpisalo
Scratches: Harrington
Storylines
- Rebound. After coming off an important victory against the Capitals, the Jackets fell in overtime to the Penguins. It can be demoralizing to lose like that, but the Jackets will need to forget about the loss and work towards getting back on track.
- Guarding the net. After two strong game from Korpisalo in net, it is time to see that the struggles may not be entirely his fault. Koripsalo has done a lot to cover up defensive miscues and odd-man rushes.
- Depth. With Markus Nutivaara, Zach Werenski, Kole Sherwood and Emil Bemstrom out of the line-up, the depth of the Blue Jackets offense and defense is being put to the test. While it is know that CBJ has the defensive depth to handle injuries, the question will be whether the offense can hold up or not.
