Game #16: Jackets travel to the desert seeking to end the scoring drought

Thursday, November 7, 2019 – 9:00 EST
Gila River Arena, Glendale, Arizona
TV: Fox Sports Ohio; Radio: 97.1 FM
Opponent’s Blog: Five for Howling

Columbus Blue Jackets (5-7-3, 13 points, 7th Metro, 12th East)

at

Arizona Coyotes (9-4-2, 20 points, 3rd Pacific, 5th West)

Tough times here in Jacketland, as the boys in the Union Blue are riding a five game losing streak. Tonight they begin a three game road trip against a finally resurgent Arizona Coyotes, seeking to return to the postseason for the first time since their Western Conference Finals appearance in 2012.

Player to Watch

Phil Kessel

Fat Phil was traded from Pittsburgh in the offseason and now he can golf on off days all season long. He’s not content to just collect a paycheck, however. He has ten points (three goals, seven assists) so far. In his career against Columbus, he has 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) in 27 games. At least we only have to face him twice a year instead of four times a year.

Jackets Notes

Markus Nutivaara is not expected to play tonight after taking a puck to the head on Tuesday against Vegas … For some good news on the injury front, Alexandre Texier has been activated off of IR. The young Frenchman  had provided a spark to the team before going down with a knee injury … Adam Clendening was recalled from Cleveland, though I would expect him to be insurance only, with Scott Harrington (ugh) taking Nuti’s place instead … In a surprise move, Elvis Merzlikins was sent to Cleveland, with Matiss Kivlenieks called up. Don’t freak out yet, however, as this appears to be a temporary move to get Elvis some extra game action. He could return to the team before the road trip is over. My prediction? After facing the Laval Rocket in Cleveland this weekend, he follows them up the St. Lawrence basin and rejoins the Jackets in Montreal.

Told #CBJ demotion of Elvis Merzlikins to @monstershockey is simply for him to stay active. Don’t think he packed a large suitcase, as he’s likely to meet the club on road trip either in Denver (maybe) or Montreal (more likely). Could get in a couple of games w AHL Cleveland.

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) November 6, 2019

This is similar to how #CBJ handled Joonas Korpisalo in ‘16-17 and ‘17-18 when he was Sergei Bobrovsky’s back-up, didn’t need waivers, and the schedule didn’t demand two goalies. Good question, tho: why wasn’t this also done in October when CBJ had large gaps in the schedule?

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) November 6, 2019

The Other Bench

This Yotes team is the real deal, apparently … In their most recent game, they fell in overtime at Calgary … Both goalies have played well, but with Antti Raanta playing on Tuesday, we’re more likely to face the primary goalie Darcy Kuemper. He is 7-3-0 with a 1.69 GAA and .940 SV%. Both are best in the league.

Season Series

11/07/2019 CBJ @ ARI
12/03/2019 ARI @ CBJ

Stats

Projected Lineups