Columbus Blue Jackets: Bobrovsky Sick, Korpi to Start vs Vegas
The Columbus Blue Jackets will be without their best player tonight as Sergei Bobrovsky is sick.
An already daunting task just got tougher for the Columbus Blue Jackets in their attempts to start out a four game home stand with a win. As the CBJ prepare to take on the Vegas Golden Knights tonight, they must do so without their best player.
At his press conference today, coach John Tortorella informed the press that Sergei Bobrovsky is sick and will not be between the pipes tonight. Joonas Korpisalo will draw in as the starter for the union blue tonight against 2nd highest scoring team in the NHL.
The Knights put up six goals against the Jackets in their last (and only) meeting of the season. Bob was blistered for the six goals on 37 shots including two to former Blue Jacket William Karlsson.
More from Union and Blue
- Blaming Columbus Blue Jacket Players for Babcock Fallout is Unfair
- The Mike Babcock Experiment in Columbus Has Failed
- Blue Jacket Prospects Win Traverse City Tournament: Who Stood Out?
- Mike Babcock Resigns as CBJ Head Coach: Reaction
- New Claims Bring Higher Level of Concern to Babcock Situation
The team regularly speaks of how confident they are with Joonas in the net behind them but the last game he started might have the team questioning that confidence. Korpi let in some awful goals agains the Kings including a killer shorthanded goal to Jeff Carter that put the nail in the Jackets coffin.
Tonight the young Finn will face the 7th best power play in the league and possibly the best line in hockey in Jonathan Marchessault – William Karlsson – Reilly Smith. The trio has been absolutely dominating teams and the three top the entire NHL in plus/minus.
Penalty Kill Key to Korpi’s Success
Ensuring the Columbus Blue Jackets penalty kill continues its solid play will be key for Korpisalo. The Golden Knights are deadly on the man advantage and the Jackets have been giving up those prime scoring opportunities early and often in recent play.
Getting Korpi some confidence and momentum is a must following the disappointing performance in Los Angeles. If the team can get him a 1-0 lead at the end of the first period, I think Korpi will keep things rolling and give the team a chance to win.
An early goal will almost certainly lead to disaster though and end in another rout for the Golden Knights.
Tonights puck drops at 7pm at Nationwide Arena to start a four game home stand for the Columbus Blue Jackets.