The new-look Blue Jackets are in action tonight, just a day and a half after acquiring forward Conor Garland from the Vancouver Canucks ahead of the trade deadline. They host a Utah Mammoth team that has a similar post-deadline buzz around them.
The Jackets come into tonight on a three-game winning streak, after dropping their first two post-Olympics games. They have 7 of a possible 8 points in their last 4 games, which has them right in the thick of the playoff race in the Eastern Conference.
Meanwhile, the Mammoth have won their last two games in a row, which kicked off a 5-game road trip through parts of the Metropolitan and Central Divisions.
The Opponent
Like the Blue Jackets, the Mammoth came out of the deadline excited about a move that could, quietly, be very good for them. They acquired defenseman MacKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames, adding to an already impressive defense corps in Utah.
The bad news is, Weegar is a Canadian, who was playing for a Canadian team. He has to go through the visa process before he can play. He won't be eligible for tonight's game, so they won't get the boost of having a talented new face in the lineup.
Still, this is a very good hockey team, that honestly does not get the respect they deserve. The Mammoth are 33-25-4 (70 points), which is good enough for fourth in their division and the first wild card spot in the Western Conference.
They are led by one of the game's most underrated forwards, recent gold medalist Clayton Keller. He has 19 goals and 61 points in 62 games this season, which has him just outside the top-30 league-wide.
Aside from him, they have plenty of other guys who don't get enough credit for their skill. Nick Schmaltz (24-34-58) is not far behind in scoring, while Dylan Guenther (28-25-53) leads the team in goals.
The Mammoth have a big, physical blue line, that can skate and also with plenty of skill to the mix. Like their forwards, there are some really underrated names here, but they are led by Mikhail Sergachev. He'll be the horse who plays in all situations tonight.
In goal, Karel Vejmelka gets the start. He's 29-16-2 on the season, with a .901% save percenage, 2.61 goals against average, and 1 shutout. He's 1-0-1 against the Blue Jackets in his career, with very similar numbers to what he has posted this season.
The Good Guys
I can't recall the last time I was this excited to watch a Blue Jackets game. After acquiring Conor Garland late on Thursday night, they have arguably the deepest lineup they have ever had. And, tonight, it looks like everyone is healthy, save maybe Dante Fabbro.
Zach Werenski also returns to the lineup, after missing the last three games due to illness. Here is how they lined up at the morning skate:
things we like to see ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/IcknugmeS6
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 7, 2026
Garland slots into the second line, bringing some much-needed speed and secondary scoring to the group. That fills a massive void, and I think it's going to help this team right away. Especially Kent Johnson, as he will have someone on the opposite wing who can play and think the offensive game at his pace.
The only question mark for the team is Mason Marchment, who left Thursday night's game with an injury. If he can't go, look for Dmitri Voronkov to take his spot on the top line.
In goal, Elvis Merzlikins will get the nod. He's 0-0-1 in his lone start against the Mammoth, where he allowed 3 goals on 33 shots in an overtime loss. His numbers against this team when they were in Arizona were not that good. Maybe it was the maroon sweaters.
Three Keys to Success
1. Build off of the excitement. First game post-deadline, with an exciting offensive player joining the mix; this team should be ready to play. The building should also be loud, being a Saturday night. The Jackets need to feed off of that energy early and try to get ahead.
2. All four lines. The addition of Conor Garland gives Rick Bowness a very balanced lineup. There is no reason that every line can't contribute something, and with the games only getting harder from here on out, everybody needs to show up.
3. Get some saves. Utah has plenty of weapons, even if they don't get the recognition they deserve. They will have surges, so the Blue Jackets will need Elvis to make some timely saves tonight.
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 Eastern Time tonight from Nationwide. It's the second and final meeting between these two teams this season. The Jackets won the first one, 3-2 in Utah, back on January 11th.