Game Preview: Blue Jackets Look For a Chicago Sweep Against the Blackhawks

By Rob Mixer on January 31, 2021 at 11:41 am
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) makes qa save on Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) during the third period at United Center.
David Banks – USA TODAY Sports
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Florida Panthers
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
2-4-3 (7 points)
ROSTER / SCHEDULE

7:00 P.M. – SUNDAY, JAN. 31
UNITED CENTER
CHICAGO, IL

FOX SPORTS OHIO
FOX SPORTS GO

The Blue Jackets are picking up points, and on Friday night, they had their goaltender to thank.

Joonas Korpisalo was outstanding in their 2-1 win over the Blackhawks, picking up the slack for a team that had tired legs after a busy stretch of games. They scored a power play goal, too, thanks to Oliver Bjorkstrand–who appears to be heating up himself.

John Tortorella doesn't want his team making a habit of games like that, but it was reassuring to see their goaltending be able to rescue them when they need it. Korpisalo's game is sharp right now, but he's expected to step aside as part of their rotation tonight, as Elvis Merzlikins will start the second of this two-game set at United Center.

And this game appeared to have some doubt over it earlier this weekend.

The Blackhawks canceled practice Saturday "out of abundance of caution" due to a potential exposure of COVID-19. They eventually placed two players, defenseman Nicolas Beaudin and forward Ryan Carpenter, on the COVID-19 protocol list adding to the three Chicago players already on the list. As of Sunday morning, this game was scheduled to be played as scheduled.

For the Blue Jackets, they want to keep on keeping on–but there are areas of their game that need work. They haven't been particularly sharp 5-on-5, but they're getting goals from all over the lineup. Eric Robinson, part of a fourth line with Riley Nash and Mikko Koivu that's earned the trust of Tortorella, scored a big 2-0 goal in the second period Friday–a good sign for him, as he's had plenty of opportunities early on in the season.

The Blue Jackets have also found some consistency with their forward lines, which is to say they haven't busted them apart in a couple of games. Progress!

Patrik Laine has arrived in Columbus and undergoing his 48-hour quarantine period, with an expectation he will make his Blue Jackets debut Tuesday night at Nationwide Arena against the Dallas Stars. 


Columbus Blue Jackets Projected Lines

LW C RW
71 Nick Foligno 42 Alexandre Texier 28 Oliver Bjorkstrand
25 Mikhail Grigorenko 16 Max Domi 19 Liam Foudy
38 Boone Jenner 96 Jack Roslovic 13 Cam Atkinson
50 Eric Robinson 9 Mikko Koivu 20 Riley Nash
LD RD
8 Zach Werenski 3 Seth Jones
44 Vladislav Gavrikov 58 David Savard
15 Michael Del Zotto 46 Dean Kukan
Goalie Backup
90 Elvis Merzlikins 70 Joonas Korpisalo

STORYLINES

  • IT AIN'T BROKE: Tortorella continues to get questions about his approach to the goaltending tandem, but he's been steadfast in maintaining it works. Both Korpisalo and Merzlikins have gotten proper rest, they've been playing well of late, and they're giving the Blue Jackets opportunities to hang around in games. Think of how bad Tuesday's game could have been if not for Korpisalo. Yikes.
  • CREATE YOUR OWN ENERGY: Usually, getting amped up for a game at United Center is no problem. The building is jammed with 22,000-plus and the anthem is an experience in itself. But with no fans in the rink, the hockey has been...casual at times. Friday's game didn't crank it up until the third period when Chicago made a push, and the Blue Jackets have yet to find a consistent energy level themselves.
  • SPECIAL TEAMS: The Blue Jackets didn't face much of a threat from the Blackhawks until they started putting them on the power play. Thankfully, their penalty killing has been excellent. Keep this game 5-on-5, draw a few penalties, and capitalize.

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