Game #2 Preview: Blue Jackets look to bounce back after lackluster opener against Predators

Columbus Blue Jackets at Nashville Predators
Saturday, January 16, 2021 – 8:00 EST
Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
TV: Fox Sports Ohio – Radio: WBNS FM
Opponent’s Blog: On the Forecheck

Columbus Blue Jackets, 0-1-0, 0 points, 6th Central
@
Nashville Predators, 1-0-0, 2 points, 3rd Central

Well, that could have gone better.

The Blue Jackets fell in a lackluster 3-1 game at the Predators on Thursday night to open their season. The new look second line with Domi, Foligno, and Atkinson bombed and was broken up in the third period. David Savard and Vladislav Gavrikov continued their trend of looking slow and poorly positioned that started in the Toronto bubble. Finally, Torts benched a young player while chasing a goal late.

Blue Jackets hockey is back, folks.

Tonight, the Blue Jackets look to get in the win column for the first time this season. The lines may look different, but the personnel will not. Here’s hoping for a better outcome this time.

Player to Watch

Max Domi

Domi’s debut with Columbus was … forgettable, to put it kindly. He played just 11:07 at 5v5, not even registering a shot on goal. He played 1:49 with a shot on the power play, but his ixG was just 0.06. At even strength, he was outshot by six, was on the ice for a goal against, and had an xGF% of 42.4. Less than ideal, to say the very least. After seeing Josh Anderson post two goals in his Canadiens debut, Domi will be looking to bounce back from his lackluster start in Columbus.

Jackets Notes

After shaking up the lines last night, the new look second and third lines combined for no shots on goal while allowing seven shots to the Predators … Michael Del Zotto led the Jackets with seven shot attempts on Thursday … the Blue Jackets had two unblocked shots in the third period of the opener, Nashville registered sixteen … Tortorella did not speak to Domi about his benching to explain the decision

The Other Bench

Luke Kunin, Brad Richardson, Mark Borowiecki, and Erik Haula each notched a point in their Predators debut on Thursday night … Luca Sbisa was added to the active roster, while Cole Smith was sent to the taxi squad on Friday … the Preds will get Dallas during the Stars’ opening series, per an NHL reschedule for COVID-19 reasons

Season Series

01/14/21 CBJ 1 @ NSH 3
01/16/21 CBJ @ NSH
02/18/21 NSH @ CBJ
02/20/21 NSH @ CBJ
02/27/21 CBJ @ NSH
02/28/21 CBJ @ NSH
05/03/21 NSH @ CBJ
05/05/21 NSH @ CBJ

Stats

Projected Lineups