It's been three days since the Blue Jackets last took the ice for a game, and they're certainly hoping that tonight's result is better than the last one.
After a disappointing 3-1 loss opening night to the Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus will face off with the Colorado Avalanche tonight at Nationwide Arena. It'll be the first time back in the building for longtime Blue Jacket Matt Calvert, who spent eight seasons with the club. It's also the first time Columbus will see Ian Cole since he left the team in free agency this offseason.
Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to start in net, while Lukas Sedlak should draw in for the injured Brandon Dubinsky.
Projected Lineup
Panarin-Dubois-Atkinson
Foligno-Wennberg-Duclair
Jenner-Nash-Anderson
Milano-Sedlak-Bjorkstrand
Werenski-Savard
Murray-Nutivaara
Harrington-Clendening
Storylines
- How will the Blue Jackets stay afloat in the midst of injuries to two key players? The defense struggled at times against Carolina without all-world player Seth Jones back there, and now Brandon Dubinsky is set to miss 4-6 weeks.
- Colorado's got some lethal talent in their lineup, with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen forming one of the league's best young center/wing combos. Can the Blue Jackets slow them down?
- The Blue Jackets looked all out of sorts against Carolina – will they have a bounce-back effort, or are there some issues they still need to iron out?
- Scott Harrington is set to make his season debut – will he have some rust, or provide stability to the team's third pair?
