Game Preview: Zach Werenski Is Out, Jet Greaves Starts As Blue Jackets Play Kings Before Holiday Break

For the final time before the holiday break, the Columbus Blue Jackets will hit the ice Monday night when they take on the Los Angeles Kings.

The Blue Jackets need two points in the worst of ways, going 1-6-1 in their last eight games and sitting in the basement of the Eastern Conference. Still, they're just seven points out of a potential wild card spot and if they're going to turn things around, it needs to start soon.

Here are five things to know before the 10:00 p.m. puck-drop:

• The Kings play a lot of low-scoring games, ranking 29th in the league in goals per game while also allowing the second-fewest. They've also got just four wins on home ice this season, tied with the Vancouver Canucks for the fewest in the NHL. Los Angeles won Thursday night in Tampa Bay to snap a four-game losing streak and will enter this game on three days rest
   
• After what could have been much worse, Zach Werenski is listed as day-to-day but will miss Monday's game with a lower-body injury. Denton Mateychuk will slide in his spot and play alongside Damon Severson on the top pairing.
   
• The Blue Jackets chance at points Saturday night was wiped away late in their 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks as a result of another third period turnover. "We turned the puck over four times before that goal goes in the net. Four times, we have it on our tape and we don’t do the good thing to get it out," said head coach Dean Evason. Simply put, Columbus has to find a way to stop turning the puck over.
   
• With a win, the Blue Jackets will match last season's record through 36 games: 15-15-6.
   
• Another loss means another shake-up to forward lines, as Kent Johnson joins Adam Fantilli and the newly-acquired Mason Marchment on the top line. Boone Jenner and Kirill Marchenko will be centered by Charlie Coyle on the third line. Here are the complete lineup projections: