The Columbus Blue Jackets return the ice for the first time since the All-Star break to take on the Buffalo Sabres on the road.
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| BUFFALO SABRES |
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22–22–7 (51 points) ROSTER / SCHEDULE |
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1 P.M. – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 KEYBANK CENTER BUFFALO, NY |
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FOX SPORTS OHIO FOX SPORTS GO |
The Blue Jackets were the hottest team in the NHL heading into the All-Star break by winning six straight and eight of their last ten games. But a lot can happen with a week off and no games for a team that is riding a hot streak. In order for the Jackets to get back on track, they will need to come out in the first raring to go and cannot rest on their laurels.
The Sabres meanwhile have played twice this week - both losses - but they have had game experience and time to shake off the rust that comes with time off the ice. This makes them a very dangerous team for a club that has not seen any game action.
Here's a look at tonight's projected lines for the Blue Jackets:
Forwards
Nyquist–Jenner–Foligno
Bemstrom–Dubois–Atkinson
Gerbe–Wennberg–Bjorkstrand
Robinson–Nash–Lilja
Defenseman
Werenski–Jones
Gavrikov–Savard
Nutivaara–Harrington
Goalie: Merzlikins
Storylines
- Rust. With a week and a half off between games, the Jackets will need to shake off the rust which tends to accumulate when no games are being played. Unfortunately for the Jackets, they will be facing a team with two games under their belt already.
- Start strong. The first period will be important for the Jackets as they find themselves playing in a game for the first time in over a week. A strong start will lift them, but a tough start could bury them as they play catch up.
- Time to heal. This season has been a struggle for the Jackets in the injury department with almost no one escaping the clutches of the injury bug, but this break has allowed the team to recover from any minor ailments and given Atkinson and Bjorkstrand - who both just returned to the line-up - a bit more time to recover as well.
