Game Preview: Blue Jackets Look to Course Correct Against Arizona Coyotes to Start Their Three-Game Road Trip

By Max Steele on November 7, 2019 at 7:05 am
Jan 25, 2018; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Clayton Keller (9) battles for the puck against Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Cam Atkinson (13) in the third period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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A road trip can be a great opportunity for a team to put previous performances aside and band together for a few us-against-the-world games.

And this opportunity could not come at a better time for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Pittsburgh
Arizona Coyotes
9–4–2 (20 points)
ROSTER / SCHEDULE

9 P.M. – THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7
GILA RIVER ARENA
GLENDALE, ARIZONA

FOX SPORTS OHIO
FOX SPORTS GO

After their 5th consecutive loss, nothing appears to be going well for the Blue Jackets.  Scoring has been lacking (or non-existent), goaltending has been below average, and defensive structure has faltered.

But a road trip offers the chance to course correct in the young season and the Blue Jackets have played better on the road than at home so far this season.

But Arizona will provide a stronger test than in previous years.  With the acquisition of Phil Kessel's offensive skill and the emergence of  Darcy Kuemper as an effective goaltender, the Blue Jackets will have a sturdy challenge to all phases of their game.

A win against this surging team would provide momentum for the rest of the road trip.  Tonight, we will see if the Columbus Blue Jackets right the ship or continue losing ways.

Here's a look at tonight's projected lines for the Blue Jackets:

Forwards

Nyquist–Dubois–Bjorkstrand
Foligno–Jenner–Anderson
Milano–Wennberg–Atkinson
Bemstrom–Nash–Sherwood

Defenseman

Werenski–Jones
Gavrikov–Savard
Kukan–Nutivaara

Storylines

  • Scoring Drought. The Blue Jackets have struggled to score in their last five outings.   Though they've created many high-danger opportunities, the club has struggled to the puck in the net. The team will look to finish their chances tonight.
  • Joonas' Net This Trip.  Elvis Merzlikins has been sent down to AHL affiliate Cleveland to get consistent work over the road trip.  This move and the schedule suggest the Blue Jackets will ride Korpisalo through their next three games.
  • Have You Seen These Men?  Several of the Columbus Blue Jackets' star players have been relatively unnoticeable the past few games.  Cam Atkinson hasn't been able to contribute, Alexander Wennberg has regressed since his impressive start to the year, and Josh Anderson hasn't been able to find his scoring touch since returning from injury.  If the Blue Jackets want any kind of success in this game or road trip, these players will need to find their way back to their productive ways.
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