Blue Jackets at Blues
8 p.m., Scottrade Center, St. Louis
TV/Stream: None
Let's try that again, shall we?
After Columbus began its exhibition season with a 5-2 loss at home to Chicago, the Blue Jackets will get right back at it tonight with a road game at St. Louis.
Not a single player who took part in the Chicago game will take the trip to the shadow of the Gateway Arch with the Blue Jackets making a full line change, so to speak. The team will also try to look at some more of the players in camp as cuts will have to come soon enough. Recent reports have the Blue Jackets targeting mid-week (if not sooner) to make their first round of roster reductions; NHL requirements state they must be down to 23 players at the time of their opening night roster registration.
LINEUP
According to the club, the Blue Jackets will align accordingly:
| Left wing | center | right wing |
|---|---|---|
| Sonny Milano | Zac Dalpe | Oliver Bjorkstrand |
| Matt Calvert | Calvin Thurkauf | Cam Atkinson |
| Paul Bittner | Justin Scott | Jordan Schroeder |
| Bobby MacIntyre | Jordan Maletta | Joe Pendenza |
| Ryan Murray | Ryan Collins |
| Scott Harrington | Jack Johnson |
| Andre Benoit | Brady Austin |
Goaltenders:
Brad Thiessen/Ivan Kulbakov
What to Watch For
An informal viewing guide, if you will, for Wednesday's game (even if it can't be viewed on local television or via web stream).
- Youngsters shining: It's the first chance in a game for the Jackets to take a look at some of the younger players. Sonny Milano appears on the first line while Calvin Thurkauf and someone like Bobby MacIntyre will get the chance to build off of a strong showing in Traverse City.
- What of the defense? Columbus played many of its heavy hitters including Zach Werenski, David Savard and Seth Jones in the opener. This group includes some interesting names, though. Ryan Collins was impressive in Traverse City and will be paired with Ryan Murray, who certainly understands the spotlight on this game this preseason.
- Goalie shuffle: Sergei Bobrovsky still won't make his preseason debut with the potential AHL duo of Brad Thiessen and Ivan Kulbakov going to St. Louis. Thiessen is a steady pro but Kulbakov is an intriguing option who spent last year in the USHL and was the team's goalie in its title game in Traverse.
Quotable
"Me as a coach, I like giving the first few games to the management and letting them put their lineups together. They know the kids, some of the prospects, that are at camp here better than I do. I can't tell in just a few of these scrimmage games. They need to look at these guys. I want them to be able to see their guys the best as they can before it gets late in camp and we have to start worrying about the National Hockey League team." – John Tortorella
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