Gameday Guide: Nov. 24 vs. Winnipeg

There are plenty of ties between the Blue Jackets and the Winnipeg Jets going into
tonight's matchup in Nationwide Arena
.
There's the obvious ties brought on by the massive trade made in January that sent CBJ center Pierre-Luc Dubois to Winnipeg for hometown kid Jack Roslovic and star sniper Patrik Laine. This will be the first time the teams have met since that blockbuster deal, and it certainly adds a subplot to the proceedings.

"It definitely feels weird to be back," Dubois said after the Jets' practice this morning. "Coming in on the bus and walking in front of the (Blue Jackets' dressing) room, the first instinct is to go through the door, then you keep walking.
"It's good to be back. I saw some of the guys, saw them skate a bit before practice, talked to a few of them. I've said this before, I have great memories of being here. It's definitely special being back."
On the other side, Roslovic is happy in general to be back in his Columbus home playing with the Blue Jackets, and he made it pretty clear he's looking forward to playing against his former teammates tonight.
"I was talking to (Jared Boll) about it, just the excitement, the energy around it, it's fun to go out and play against guys you grew up playing with in your pro career," Roslovic said. "It's nice to see them all, and it'll be a fun game."
In addition, Winnipeg forward Riley Nash spent two and a half seasons with the Blue Jackets before being traded to Toronto at the deadline last year, adding another welcome back to the night.
For fans attending, the Blue Jackets are partnering with The Salvation Army to raise money during the Army's annual Red Kettle campaign. Fans who wish to donate can locate the Red Kettle Ringers on the Front Street and McConnell Plazas before doors open and through the first period.

3 Keys to the Game

Strength on strength: This game matches the fifth best offense in the NHL (Columbus has 3.44 goals per game) with the sixth best defense (Winnipeg allows 2.56 goals). It should be a good challenge to keep the goal-scoring vibes going.
Tighten up: The Blue Jackets have allowed at least three goals in nine of the last 10 games. Winnipeg has plenty of talent, but Columbus has to start making some adjustments defensively.
Ride the wave: It should be a good crowd in Nationwide Arena with the holiday tomorrow. That home-ice advantage should add some energy for Columbus.

Notable

Nineteen of the 24 skaters to play this year for Columbus have scored a goal and 22 have at least one point. … Four CBJ players have notched their first career NHL goals this year -- Yegor Chinakhov, Justin Danforth, Cole Sillinger and Gregory Hofmann. … Defenseman Zach Werenski is in the midst of a five-game point streak (2-5-7). … Captain Boone Jenner has a team-best nine goals, including two last Thursday vs. the Coyotes, after having eight all of last year in 41 games. … Oliver Bjorkstrand has a team high 18 points (6-12-18), with five multipoint games in 16 games. … The Jackets' 10 wins through 16 games ties for the most in franchise history. … The teams split the season series two years ago, with Winnipeg earning a 4-3 home win in November before two goals from Bjorkstrand pushed the Jackets to a 4-3 victory in Nationwide Arena on Jan. 22. … In addition to the ties above, Winnipeg forward Jansen Harkins was born in Cleveland. … This game is the first of five in a row against Western Conference opponents.

Projected Lineup

(Subject to change)
Gustav Nyquist - Boone Jenner - Oliver Bjorkstrand
Yegor Chinakhov - Cole Sillinger - Jakub Voracek
Gregory Hofmann - Jack Roslovic - Max Domi
Eric Robinson - Sean Kuraly - Alexandre Texier
Zach Werenski - Jake Bean
Vladislav Gavrikov - Andrew Peeke
Gavin Bayreuther - Adam Boqvist
Elvis Merzlikins (confirmed starter)
Joonas Korpisalo
Scratches:Justin Danforth, Gabriel Carlsson, Scott Harrington
Injured Reserve:Emil Bemstrom (oblique; four to six weeks as of Oct. 14); Dean Kukan (wrist; eight weeks as of Oct. 26); Patrik Laine (oblique; four to six weeks as of Nov. 5)
Roster Report:No changes are expected to the lineup, while Merzlikins will start for the fifth time in six games.

This Day in CBJ History

Nov. 24, 2010: Jakub Voracek's overtime goal gave the Blue Jackets a 4-3 road victory over the New York Islanders. Mathieu Garon got the win to improve to 6-1, while the Islanders lost their 14th consecutive game.