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6-5-4 (16 points) ROSTER / SCHEDULE |
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8:00 P.M. – SATURDAY, FEB. 13 UNITED CENTER CHICAGO, IL |
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FOX SPORTS OHIO FOX SPORTS GO |
Now that it appears that the Blue Jackets reality show has been ended for now and all of the drama is off to the side, we can get back to the hockey in front of us.
The Columbus Blue Jackets pulled off a big 6-5 win against the Chicago Blackhawks where it felt like each minute a different team was going to win the game
The Blue Jackets saving grace ended up being Kevin Stenlund who provided the game-winning goal. Despite the win, they are hoping to win in a more tidy fashion and not in another shootout.
When the Blue Jackets face off against the Blackhawks they will be joined by Elvis Merzlikins and Zach Werenski. Both players were on injured reserve due to upper-body injuries. Both are big enough difference-makers to tip the scales even further for the Blue Jackets
Keeping Blackhawk stars like Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat in check is going to be difficult given the team's recent defensive woes. It may only take a save or two to put the Blue Jackets in a favorable position in this Saturday showdown.
Columbus Blue Jackets Projected Lines
| LW | C | RW | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | Patrik Laine | 96 | Jack Roslovic | 13 | Cam Atkinson |
| 16 | Max Domi | 11 | Kevin Stenlund | 28 | Oliver Bjorkstrand |
| 25 | Mikhail Grigorenko | 38 | Boone Jenner | 42 | Alexandre Texier |
| 71 | Nick Foligno | 20 | Riley Nash | 50 | Eric Robinson |
| LD | RD | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | Vladislav Gavrikov | 3 | Seth Jones |
| 8 | Zach Werenski | 58 | David Savard |
| 15 | Michael Del Zotto | 2 | Andrew Peeke |
| Goalie | Backup | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | Joonas Korpisalo | 90 | Elvis Merzlikins |
STORYLINES
- YOU CAN DO IT: One of the most fascinating parts of the Blue Jackets season is how they have developed offensively. They were anemic to start and could not put passes together. Now it seems like no matter what they do the puck is going into the back of the net. If they can keep scoring at this clip it won't matter how many goals they give up.
- WERENSKI RETURNS: Zach Werenski returns to the Blue Jackets lineup but it isn't going to provide any answers for why the defense has been so abysmal so far. They had been dividing the initial pairings up and it will be interesting to see how they proceed with deploying them.
- MERZLIKINS MINUTES: The Blue Jackets have been riding the hand of Joonas Korpisalo and they have been seeing some wins thanks to his efforts. With fellow goaltender Elvis Merzlikins healthy, it will be interesting to see who they go with after a few days off.
