SETTING THE STAGE: The Blue Jackets did just about everything they wanted to do on Monday night against Colorado. Their first period was as good as they could have hoped for. For a six-minute span in the second period, they let off the gas and yielded two goals as a result. But they got right back on the horse in the third period, putting shift after shift together that eventually gave way to the tying goal from Cam Atkinson with 6.5 seconds left in regulation.
In many respects, it was a dominant effort from the Blue Jackets. They attempted 92 shots in all situations, out-shot the Avalanche 42-27 and carried long stretches of play, and were reasonably tidy in their own end. Despite not getting the result, they know that a similar effort will turn in their favor more often than not, and the next opportunity comes Wednesday night at Nationwide Arena as a busy stretch of games continues.
The Flames are in the midst of a lengthy road trip that, following their game in Columbus, continues with stops in Boston, Philadelphia and Brooklyn before turning to the Saddledome next week.
NOTEWORTHY NEWS: Seth Jones made his return to the lineup on Monday after missing two weeks with a fractured foot. He lined up on the Blue Jackets' top defense pairing with Zach Werenski and the two were a driving force in 5-on-5 play. Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to get the start in net for Columbus after a one-game break.
PROJECTED CBJ LINEUP:
Saad - Wennberg - Foligno
Jenner - Dubinsky - Atkinson
Calvert - Karlsson - Anderson
Hartnell - Sedlak - Gagner
Werenski - Jones
Johnson - Savard
Murray - Nutivaara
Bobrovsky
