Game Preview: Greaves Starts As Blue Jackets, Islanders Battle In Big-Time Divisional Showdown

The calendar says it's the last day of February, but the Columbus Blue Jackets playoff chase suggests it's much later.

After a loss Thursday night in Boston to the Bruins, the Blue Jackets return to Nationwide Arena ice for the first time in nearly a month when they face Metro division rivals the New York Islanders.

The Blue Jackets, in fifth place in the Metro entering the day, are in contention both for a top-three finish in the division as well as a wildcard spot. But the path is certainly easier if they can catch the Islanders and fourth-place Washington Capitals. 

Columbus is six points behind the Islanders but with two games in hand, and four points behind the Capitals but with an incredible four games in hand. In other words, objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.

Here are five things to know before the slightly-earlier-than-normal, 6:00 p.m. puck-drop:

• The Islanders won their first game out of the Olympic break, defeating the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in overtime. ... This is the first night of a back-to-back for the Islanders, who return home Sunday to face the Florida Panthers. ... Ilya Sorokin gets the start for New York and he's been a force this year, posting a 21-13-2 record with a 2.45 goals against average, .915 save percentage, and a league-leading six shutouts.
   
• Olympians from both teams will receive pre-game recognition, but that will certainly be highlighted by Zach Werenski. His Team USA jersey and gold medal will be on display before the game until the end of the second period on the main concourse outside of section 108. On the ice, Werenski is the only defenseman in the league with 20+ goals (20) and 60+ points (63) on the season.
   
• Jet Greaves gets the start for Columbus. He's 5-1-0 in his six starts since Rick Bowness took over as head coach, including a shutout in his last start before the break. Greaves stopped 24 of 26 shots against the Islanders on December 28th in a 4-2 Blue Jackets victory.
   
• Kirill Marchenko extended his point streak to five games Thursday when he scored his 20th goal of the season, and in doing so, he became the first Blue Jacket to begin his NHL career with four consecutive 20+ goal seasons. 
   
• Saturday morning's skate saw a few changes, including Danton Heinen back into the lineup and on the second line in place of Kent Johnson, who appears (though unconfirmed) to be a healthy scratch. Here are the complete lineup projections based on the skate: