Patrik Laine Returns, Daniil Tarasov Starts Again, and the Blue Jackets Look for a Second Straight Win

News

After leaving the season opener with an elbow sprain in the season opener on Oct. 12, Patrik Laine is back in the Blue Jackets' lineup. Head coach Brad Larsen said Laine "feels great" and they wouldn't have put him in the lineup if he was limited in any way.

In other words, he's good to go – albeit ahead of schedule. 

#CBJ Larsen said Laine wont be limited, adding he wouldnt be playing if he wasnt fully healthy. https://t.co/Vaqbmbm2CQ

— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) October 25, 2022

Also returning to the lineup will be defenseman Adam Boqvist, who has been a healthy scratch for the past three games.

#CBJ Larsen confirms Adam Boqvist will return to the lineup tonight.

— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) October 25, 2022

Larsen said defenseman Nick Blankenburg is "day-to-day" with an upper body injury he suffered in Sunday's win against the Rangers, but the upper body injury that caused Justin Danforth to leave Saturday's loss to the Penguins is "more significant."

#CBJ Larsen says Nick Blankenburg (upper-body) is out day-to-day and Justin Danforths upper-body injury is more significant.

— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) October 25, 2022

Goaltender Daniil Tarasov will make his second consecutive start tonight, Larsen confirmed. Tarasov notched his first NHL win on Sunday over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. 

#CBJ Larsen says Tarasov starts tonight vs. #Yotes.

— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) October 25, 2022

Notes

Embedded below are the lines and power play units from today's morning skate.

#CBJ line rushes at morning skate:

Gaudreau-Jenner-Laine*
Johnson-Roslovic-Voracek
Nyquist-Sillinger-Chinakov
Robinson-Kuraly-Olivier

Werenski-Peeke
Gavrikov-Boqvist
Bean-Gudbranson

Merzlikins/Tarasov

*Currently on IR

— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) October 25, 2022

#CBJ power play units at morning skate:
PP1
Point: Werenski
LW: Laine
Bumper: Johnson
RW: Gaudreau
Net-front: Jenner

PP2
Point: Boqvist
LW: Chinakov
Bumper: Roslovic
RW: Voracek
Net-front: Nyquist

— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) October 25, 2022

Sound bites

• Larsen on what he wants to see from Boqvist: "It's like all my defensemen. I want him to be assertive. Don't play safe."
• Laine: "It's been tough to watch these games on TV, so [I'm] just happy to be back and hopefully help the guys out there."
• Johnny Gaudreau on Kent Johnson: "He's super skilled. He can see the ice really well. And he's a good kid, too, off the ice which makes it even better to see a young kid get rewarded."