Columbus Blue Jackets Host Jets in Last Home Game of Season

Dec 29, 2016; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Nick Foligno (71) interferes with Winnipeg Jets goalie Michael Hutchinson (34) during the second period as Columbus Blue Jackets center Alexander Wennberg (10) (not shown) scores at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2016; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Nick Foligno (71) interferes with Winnipeg Jets goalie Michael Hutchinson (34) during the second period as Columbus Blue Jackets center Alexander Wennberg (10) (not shown) scores at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

The Columbus Blue Jackets play host the Winnipeg Jets Thursday night. The game will be the last home game of the regular season for the Jackets. The home team is on a bit of slid downward at the moment. Here is what they can do to turn it around.

The Columbus Blue Jackets host the Winnipeg Jets in the last home game of the regular season tonight. The Jackets have lost a season high four straight going into tonight’s game. The Jackets are guaranteed to take on the Penguins in round. The two teams are still separated by three points with three games left for both teams.

Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets /

Columbus Blue Jackets

Surging Jets

Unlike the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Winnipeg Jets are not going to be going to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. That has not stopped them from reeling off five straight wins going into Thursday night’s matchup. The Jackets are coming off the toughest three game stretch of their season. The Jets will provide no rest for the weary Jackets.

Columbus native Jack Roslovic will make his NHL debut against his hometown Jackets. Roslovic lead the AHL’s Manitoba Moose in scoring this year, racking up 45 points in 61 games. The 20-year-old winger came up with the Blue Jackets youth program before going to Miami University for one year.

Korpisalo Gets the Start

Joonas Korpisalo gets the start in net for the Blue Jackets. Korpisalo’s last game was an overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Korpisalo made 29 saves in that game. The 22-year-old goalie has played in 12 games for the Jackets this year. If the CBJ pull it together and do make a run in the playoffs, Korpisalo will have to be relied upon at some point.

Related Story: Jackets send three prospects to Cleveland

Milano Sent Down

First round pick Sonny Milano was sent back down to AHL Cleveland after playing against the Penguins Tuesday night. Matt Calvert will return to the starting lineup after being a healthy scratch against the Pens. Head coach John Tortorella said Calvert did not sit for any flaw in his game. Torts also mentioned he hopes to get Milano back up in Columbus before the season ends. The Monsters play Friday at Milwaukee as they try to make their way into the playoffs.

Things may seem bleak in Jackets country right now. Rest assured fans, hockey is a strange game. It only takes on moment in one game to turn things around. Here’s to hoping tonight is that moment.