Tonight's for five-in-a-row, folks.
The Columbus Blue Jackets were on a five-game losing streak, and are now looking to flip the script and win their fifth straight game tonight at Nationwide Arena.
Who's standing in their way? The New York Islanders, who everyone obviously thought would be leading the Metropolitan Division in February, especially after losing superstar John Tavares in last summer's free agency.
Okay, no one really thought the Islanders would be here - but they're out to prove that they're the real deal. So, Columbus, want a shot at winning the division?
Beating the Islanders tonight would really help that (wow, that's very weird to say).
PROJECTED LINES:
Panarin – Dubois – Atkinson
Duclair – Wennberg – Bjorkstrand
Foligno – Jenner – Anderson
Hannikainen – Sedlak – Nash
DEFENSEMEN:
Murray – Jones
Werenski – Savard
Harrington – Nutivaara
GOALTENDER:
Bobrovsky
STORYLINES:
- The New York Islanders are the current leaders of the Metropolitan Division, and their first-in-the-league goals against surely has something to do with it, meaning the Blue Jackets' offense will have their work cut out for them. The Islanders have 72 points with a 33-17-6 record.
- Sergei Bobrovsky is showing as of late that regardless of any trade speculation or his future in Columbus after this season, he is still going to give it his all whenever he is on the ice. In his past four games, he has held a .923 save percentage and a 2.0 goals against average, all amounting to victories. Can he help the Blue Jackets get their fifth-straight?
- The line of Anthony Duclair, Alexander Wennberg and Oliver Bjorkstrand is looking more and more comfortable in every game. The third line has four goals in the past fives games for the club, and is getting a looser leash every night from coach John Tortorella to be able to play in crucial minutes. Look for this line to continue to provide an offensive pressure to aid the top-six forwards.
