Columbus Blue Jackets: What to Watch as CBJ Return vs Buffalo Sabres
IT’S OVER!!! After a nine day break, the Columbus Blue Jackets return to the ice as they host the Buffalo Sabres.
Columbus Blue Jackets hockey is all that seems to fuel me through the depths of winter. That made the last nine days of winter weather even tougher to bear as the Jackets enjoyed their NHLPA break that butted up next to the All-Star break.
Tonight though, the wait is over. The Jackets are back in the friendly confines of Nationwide Arena as they host the Buffalo Sabers. Off the ice drama will be forgot for at least three twenty minute periods as the CBJ look to avoid their first three game loosing streak of the season.
All eyes tonight should be on Sergei Bobrovsky who will make the start in net. The embattled goaltender has a ton on his mind. He is a likely candidate to be traded, he is playing for a new contract next year and has only started two of the previous six games the Jackets have played.
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I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit surprised by Bobrovsky getting the start tonight. Every day it becomes more apparent that his time in Columbus is coming to and end so why not give Joonas Korpisalo the net as much as possible?
With Bob in net tonight, it put’s Korpi in a prime position to start on Thursday as the Jackets travel to Winnipeg to take on the Central Division leading Jets.
Boone Jenner will be out of the lineup tonight with an undisclosed injury. Taking his place will be the now healthy Markus Hannikainen and Lukas Sedlak. The Jackets have made a precautionary call up to Mark Letestu who will be a healthy scratch for the game tonight, but at least take home an NHL paycheck for the game.
The second line then should be centered by Alexander Wennberg. The struggling center will be flanked by Nick Foligno and Josh Anderson.
It should be interesting to see if there are any noticeable changes in the power play tonight. The Jackets have brought on Hall of Famer Martin St. Louis as a consultant to address the issues on the man advantage.
Next. St. Louis Hired as PP Consultant. dark
I don’t expect any radical changes to the power play as St. Louis has only been in town for two practices but personnel changes should be in place. As well as a sense of urgency and more frequent passing that the team desperately needs to employ on the power play.