Columbus Blue Jackets: Taking a look at this week’s Schedule
An overtime loss brings the Columbus Blue Jackets into the first full week of November. This week gives us four games, including two on the road and two at home.
Starting tonight, the Columbus Blue Jackets will play four games in six days. They’ll face three opponents from the Eastern Conference and one from the west.
The Blue Jackets are currently 9-4-1, leading the Metropolitan Division and going into the week with the fourth most points in the league. Here’s how their schedule checks out this week:
Monday night at NYR
The week opens with the Columbus Blue Jackets making their first appearance in the Big Apple on Monday. This is their second game against the New York Rangers this year.
The Rangers are 6-7-2 so far and second to last in the Metro. For them, the story has been about not being able to replace a few big names lost in the offseason.
To recover, it may make sense to trade for a current Columbus Blue Jacket who started with the Rangers, according to Karly Redpath of BlueLineStation. That player, of course is Brandon Dubinsky.
Of course, this is just speculation as of now, but the Rangers probably will try to do something. Maybe they’ll agree with this idea after matching up with the Blue Jackets and seeing Dubi again in person.
Tuesday night vs. NSH
Seth Jones and the Jackets will matchup against Jones’ former team on Tuesday. The Nashville Predators will make their only appearance of the year on this day. Nashville is 7-5-2 and second to last in the Central Division.
The Preds haven’t been able to get going after an amazing run to the Stanley Cup Finals last year. Some of their top players, such as former Blue Jacket Ryan Johansen, aren’t playing up to their potential thus far.
Nashville beat Columbus in both matchups last year, and surely the Jackets would love to get back at them. They’ve also won their past two games, so the Jackets will need to bring their best game.
Friday night vs. CAR
The Blue Jackets host the Carolina Hurricanes for the first time this year on Friday. They’ve played once already in Carolina where the Jackets won 2-1 in overtime.
Sonny Milano’s two-goal performance sprung the Blue Jackets to victory that night.
Carolina is struggling this year at 4-5-3. They are currently last in the Metro.
Some thought before the year that this team will have a breakout season, which they still can, but they’ll have to make some adjustments. This matchup at Nationwide Arena looks very winnable for the Blue Jackets.
Saturday Night at DET
Saturday will be the Blue Jackets first ever visit to the new Little Caesars Arena. The fourth game of the week is, again, against an opponent who is struggling this season.
The Detroit Red Wings are 6-7-1 and in fifth place in the Atlantic Division. This will be the first of three games between the two teams this year, and the only visit to Detroit for Columbus.
Last year, the Jackets went 3-0-0 against the Wings, including this controversial no call led to a game-winning goal for Columbus:
This week’s games present the challenge of staying consistent and not taking a night off. The Blue Jackets should be able to gain at least 5 points after this week’s set of games.