/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70374023/1312711784.0.jpg)
Tuesday, January 11, 2021 - 7:00 EST
Nationwide Arena - Columbus, Ohio
TV: Bally Sports Ohio; Radio: 97.1 FM
Opponent’s Blog: Second City Hockey
Columbus Blue Jackets (16-16-1, 33 points, 5th Metro, 12th East)
at
Chicago Blackhawks (12-18-5, 29 points, 7th Central, 10th East)
The Columbus Blue Jackets host the Chicago Blackhawks tonight in the first of two meetings between the two clubs. This was the second matchup on the schedule, but the first game was postponed due to the recent Covid outbreak. That game will more than likely be made up in February, during what was originally going to be the Olympic break. Tonight’s game will mark the return of Seth Jones to Nationwide Arena and the fans who adored him for six seasons. I expect Seth to get a warm welcome back during his video tribute, but other than that, mostly indifference.
If you happen to be going to the game tonight, do yourself a favor and show up early and check out the NHL’s Black Hockey History Tour.
The @NHL's Black Hockey History Tour has arrived in Columbus!
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) January 10, 2022
Join us tomorrow as we celebrate the founders, trail blazers and future stars in Black hockey history! pic.twitter.com/zlcrsBpLL6
Player to Watch
Adam Boqvist
No matter who it is, or what the situation around their departure was, a player is always going to have a little extra in the tank when they play their old team. Adam Boqvist went on record saying that the Hawks had informed him that he would not be traded, only to trade him to the Blue Jackets shortly after. I see a big game from Boqvist tonight to stick it to his old club.
Adam Boqvist on being traded from the #Blackhawks to #CBJ ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/fwPqdiZiwi
— CBJ Coverage (@CBJcoverage) January 11, 2022
Jackets Notes
Elvis Merzlikins returned to practice yesterday and J.F. Berube was returned to Cleveland, so it’s possible he could get back in goal, but that remains to be seen. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Joonas Korpisalo get another start after his strong performance on Saturday.
It was also reported that Blue Jackets forward Gregory Hofmann will not be returning to the team. He left to be with his wife for the birth of their first child, and was expected to return soon. However, the team was forced to suspend the 29-year-old rookie when he notified the club he would not be returning. I can’t say I blame him. I couldn’t imagine being an ocean away from my child, not to mention playing on a struggling team wondering if he will even get into the lineup. I wish Hofmann and his family the best, but at the same time I am glad he will not be taking anymore ice time from the Jackets’ younger prospects. Once his contract is officially terminated he will join his former team in Switzerland, EV Zug.
[Thread]
— CBJ Coverage (@CBJcoverage) January 11, 2022
ICYMI: The Columbus Blue Jackets have suspended F Gregory Hofmann after he informed the club that he would not be returning to Columbus following the birth of his daughter in Switzerland. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/rqHyMERA7J
The Other Bench
There’s no other way to put it: The Chicago Blackhawks have been a disappointment this year. After making multiple trades in the offseason to shore up the defense, and adding a future Hall of Famer in net, the Hawks looked to get back into contention and make their return to the postseason. Our own Jody Shelley even predicted the Blackhawks would win another cup.
Their season got off to a terrible 1-9-2 start, which ultimately cost former head coach, Jeremy Colliton his job. Since then, the Hawks have stabilized but have A LOT of ground to make up if they want to make a run. With the Blue Jackets owning the Hawks 2022 first round pick, we will all be rooting against them the rest of the season.
I also took great pleasure in reading this article.
It doesn't matter that Seth Jones has been great this season.
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) January 11, 2022
It won't matter who wins tomorrow's game, either.
The Blue Jackets won the trade. The Blackhawks lost. That was clear July 23, that is clear today, and that will always be clear.
New column: https://t.co/dpDD6UlBVa
Season Series
Dec. 28, 2021 PPD
Jan. 11, 2022
Stats
Chicago | Columbus | |
---|---|---|
2.29 (30) | GPG | 3.12(12) |
3.40 (26) | GAPG | 3.55(28) |
18.8% (18) | PP% | 16.3% (26) |
74.8% (26) | PK% | 76.9% (25) |
47.07% (26) | 5v5 Shot Attempt % | 47.77% (24) |
46.68% (28) | 5v5 Unblocked shot attempt % | 46.73% (27) |
6.94% (27) | 5v5 Shooting % | 9.17(5) |
.913 (25) | 5v5 Save % | .909% (27) |
Alex Debrincat, 21 | G Leader | Boone Jenner, 13 |
Patrick Kane, 24 | A Leader | Jakub Voracek, 24 |
Patrick Kane, 31 | P Leader | Oliver BJORKSTRAND and Jakub Voracek, 25 |
Kirby Dach, 31 | PIM Leader | Andrew Peeke, 26 |
6-11-2 | Home / Road | 11-5-1 |
3-4-3 | Last 10 | 3-6-1 |
Projected Lineups
Patrik Laine | Boone Jenner | Gus Nyquist |
Jakub Voracek | Jack Roslovic | Oliver BJORKSTRAND |
Emil Bemstrom | Cole Sillinger | Max Domi |
Eric Robinson | Sean Kuraly | Yegor Chinakhov |
Zach Werenski | Jake Bean |
Vladislav Gavrikov | Adam Boqvist |
Dean Kukan | Andrew Peeke |
Joonas Korpisalo |
Elvis Merzlikins |
Dominik Kubalik | Dylan Strome | Patrick Kane |
Alex Debrincat | Jonathan Toews | Brett Connolly |
Philipp Kurashev | Kirby Dach | MacKenzie Entwistle |
Jujhar Kaira | Henrik Borgstrom | Ryan Carpenter |
Jake McCabe | Seth Jones |
Calvin De Haan | Connor Murphy |
Ian Mitchell | Riley Stillman |
Marc-Andre Fleury |
Kevin Lankinen |
Loading comments...