PREVIEW: Blue Jackets head to Carolina for one game vs. Hurricanes
Columbus takes point streak, improved play to the Research Triangle
It was frustrating, of course, for Columbus, but the good news is that the Blue Jackets put together two back-to-back games in the Windy City that showed signs a team with a lot of new faces is starting to come together and play better hockey.
That's especially true when it comes to getting the puck out of the zone and moving up the ice and units of five.
"We're just more confident with the puck," said winger Patrik Laine, who is starting to settle in with the team and is coming off a game with both a goal and his first career fight. "We don't have to chip it out every time. Obviously that's a good play under pressure, but our forwards are doing a good job trying to be open and gather some speed. We have a lot of D who have a lot of skill to make those plays. I think that's all just part of it. We're trying to play with more confidence."
That as a result led to a much better defensive showing over the past two games. While it wasn't perfect -- some major breakdowns led to goals in each game vs. the Blackhawks -- the balance of play was better in their own end.
While Columbus was disjointed for much of the first quarter of the season and struggled to get the puck out of the zone at times, the transition play was improved vs. Chicago, which led to more offensive zone time. As a result, per Natural Stat Trick, two of the team's best three games of the year when it comes to expected goal percentage at 5-on-5 were in the series against the Blackhawks.
Head coach John Tortorella left the second game pleased with large stretches of the team's play, especially as Saturday's game went on.
"I think in the second and third period, we gave up a total of four chances," Tortorella said. "I thought our team played very well defensively.
"I think our transition has improved. I thought we probably played one of our best periods in the third period. We gave them one chance, they scored a goal. … I liked our checking. I do think we're moving the puck better. I think we're coming out of the middle more. I think there's more flow to our game, and in the third period, I thought the checking part of our game, being above the puck, sticks on pucks, all sorts of things defensively, I thought we played really well."
Know the Foe
Carolina will be no stranger to the Blue Jackets, as the two teams split a two-game series in Nationwide Arena last Sunday and Monday, with the Canes taking a wild 6-5 decision on Sunday before the Blue Jackets replied with a 3-2 victory in the series finale.
The Hurricanes will bring the same mobile defense and aggressive forecheck to the game, which will make this a good test for the Blue Jackets after the team took three of four points in Chicago. The team is tied for second place in the Central with 18 points, a total that matches Florida. Carolina is 11th in the NHL in scoring (3.33 goals per game) and 15th in team defense (2.75 goals per game).
Head coach Rod Brind'Amour's team has three team leaders with at least a point per game, with youngster Andrei Svechnikov (6-6-12 in 12 games), veteran Jordan Staal (4-8-12 in 10 games) and Vincent Trocheck (6-6-12 in 11 games) tied atop the points chart. Sebastian Aho isn't far behind with three goals and 11 points in 12 games, while Dougie Hamilton leads the way defensively with a goal and eight assists.
James Rimer has played seven games (a team-high six starts) with a 6-1-0 record, 3.11 GAA and .889 save percentage. He is 3-8-2 in his career vs. Columbus with a 3.86 GAA. Ohio native Alex Nedeljkovic has started two games (1-1-0/2.82/.882) while Petr Mrazek recently underwent thumb surgery but is back at practice. He is 2-1-0 with a 0.99 GAA and .955 save percentage in four games.
The Blue Jackets won't see former CBJ forward Ryan Dzingel, who was dealt to Ottawa on Saturday for forwards Alex Galchenyuk and Cedric Paquette. Galchenyuk was put on waivers yesterday while Paquette could debut vs. the Jackets after winning the Stanley Cup last year with Tampa Bay.
3 Keys to the Game
Strong transition: The Blue Jackets were much more comfortable moving the puck out of the zone on their sticks in the past few games, something that is key against an aggressive Carolina team.
Top line rolling: The trio of Laine, Cam Atkinson and Jack Roslovic has been all over the scoresheet in recent games, giving the Blue Jackets a trio that can produce on a game-by-game basis.
Clear the front: Carolina is second in the NHL in high danger chances per 60 minutes per Natural Stat Trick. It's a challenge to slow down the offense, especially on rebounds as the Canes excel getting the puck to the net.
Of Note
The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday night but was moved after Carolina had games early this season postponed because of COVID. It is just one of four games not part of a two-game series on the CBJ schedule. … Seth Jones has tied a career high with a six-game point streak (1-6-7) with at least one point in every game this month. … Roslovic has a 4-5-9 line in the last seven games. … Atkinson has two goals and four assists in the past two games as well as a 4-4-8 line in the last five. … Atkinson leads the Blue Jackets with five goals, with six players -- Roslovic, Laine, Boone Jenner, Alexandre Texier, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Nick Foligno -- one back with four, while he and Bjorkstrand are now tied for the team lead with 12 points. … Columbus has scored first in 12 of 16 games and outscored teams 18-8 in first period. … Columbus has won five of the last six in the series and has at least one win in Raleigh in all but one season since the creation of the Metropolitan Division in 2013-14.
Projected Lineup
(Subject to change)
Patrik Laine - Jack Roslovic - Cam Atkinson
Max Domi - Kevin Stenlund - Oliver Bjorkstrand
Boone Jenner - Alexandre Texier - Nick Foligno
Stefan Matteau - Riley Nash - Eric Robinson
Vladislav Gavrikov - Seth Jones
Dean Kukan - David Savard
Michael Del Zotto - Andrew Peeke
Joonas Korpisalo (confirmed starter)
Elvis Merzlikins
Scratches: Zach Werenski, Mikhail Grigorenko, Scott Harrington
Taxi squad: Liam Foudy, Emil Bemstrom, Adam Clendening, Gabriel Carlsson, Cam Johnson
Injured reserve: Matiss Kivlenieks (lower body, day to day), Gus Nyquist (shoulder, out 5-6 months as of November), Brandon Dubinsky (wrist, LTIR)
Roster report:Tortorella said Stefan Matteau will go into the lineup for Grigorenko, making his season debut, while Kukan will go in for Werenski, who continues to be bothered by a lower-body injury. Carlsson cleared waviers Monday and has been moved to the taxi squad, with Matteau taking his place on the active roster.
