Game #20 Preview/Gamethread: The spiral continues in Columbus

Wednesday, November 22, 2023, 7:00 PM ET
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
TV: Bally Sports Ohio; Radio: 97.1 FM
Opponent’s Site: Second City Hockey

Columbus Blue Jackets (4-11-4, 12 points, 8th Metro, 16th East)

vs

Chicago Blackhawks (5-11-0, 10 points, 8th Central, 15th West)

Another loss tonight would set a franchise record for losses in a row in a single season. It’s still hard to comprehend how a team with Zach Werenski, Johnny Gaudreau, Patrik Laine, and Adam Fantilli can be this bad.

The national media has started to turn their gaze towards Columbus, and that’s usually not a good thing. Elliotte Friedman speculated about veterans tuning out, Ray Ferraro called the Blue Jackets “…a team with no identity. They’re just a franchise.” Many other national podcasts also headlined with discussions about Columbus.

Meanwhile, Mike Priest, President of the Blue Jackets, was seen watching practice from the stands yesterday. It’s been reported that any major changes likely won’t happen until the spring, but that’s hard to comprehend as things start to spiral out of control faster and faster.

Player to Watch

Patrik Laine

This is obvious, no? Laine is angry and will be coming off a healthy scratch. Aaron Portzline of The Athletic interviewed the Finn after his scratch, and Laine did not hold back. He called it the “most embarrassing thing that’s happened to me [in my career]” and called the benching “unfair.” He went on to add that he felt sitting in the press box did nothing to help his play on the ice.

It feels as if Vincent may have overplayed his hand, benching a star in just his 19th game as an NHL head coach.

Jackets Notes

In yet another head-scratching roster move, Eric Robinson was recalled from Cleveland. Trey Fix-Wolansky, the Monsters’ leading scorer, was only given one game before getting sent down. I understand leaving Kent Johnson in Cleveland, especially if he’s playing 1C, but why not call up Bemstrom, who has five goals in three games? Playing Olivier and Robinson over any of those other guys is quite the decision.

It was announced yesterday that Damon Severson will miss six weeks with an oblique injury.

The Other Bench

Connor Bedard leads the Blackhawks in both points and goals. In fact, Bedard is tied for second in the entire league in 5v5 goals. The Blackhawks sit below the Jackets in the standings but have three games in hand. It’s pretty safe to say that they may be giving the Sharks a run for their money if not for Bedard.

Season Series

11/22/23 CHI @ CBJ
03/02/24 CBJ @ CHI

Stats

Projected Lines

Columbus Blue Jackets

Chicago Blackhawks