Game #22 Preview: Blue Jackets try to ground Jets

Saturday, November 23, 2019 – 7:00 EST
Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, CAN
TV: Fox Sports Ohio; Radio: 97.1 FM
Opponent’s Blog: Arctic Ice Hockey

Columbus Blue Jackets (9-8-4, 22 points, 6th Metro, 13th East)

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Winnipeg Jets (13-9-1, 27 points, 4th Central, 6th West)

It’s been nearly two full weeks since the Blue Jackets’ last road game. Tonight, they travel back up to Canada to play the Jets who have been playing pretty well of late. Columbus comes in off their 5-4 win against the Red Wings Thursday night, while the Jets come off a 5-3 loss at the Stars, but winners of seven of their last 10.

Player to Watch

I wrote this part before the game against the Red Wings, but it’s still pretty true so slight modifications only.

For the most part, Cam Atkinson has been MIA from the goal scoring sheet for nearly a month now. Of course, he did get that 5-on-3 goal Thursday against the Wings. I’m not listing him as a player to watch because I expect something good to happen, like him scoring a goal. Maybe putting him on notice will wake him up. I’m sure a positive stretch is ahead, but let’s go! When Torts pondered aloud after Tuesday’s victory over the Canadiens who would come out of the lineup for Nick Foligno, he said it might not be the usual suspects. Let’s hold the veterans accountable. That part was still clear following Thursday’s game when Torts talked about the kind of player they need Atkinson to be:

“It’s the way he’s gotta play. We haven’t seen that that often this year and you noticed him, as far as just his darting and his legs moving all the time. Cam had a consistent game that way and he gets rewarded with a goal.”

So far this season, Atkinson has just four goals in 21 games, with nine assists for 13 points. Since Oct. 30, Atkinson has eight points (1-7) with six points over his last six games (1-5). He is the team leader with three power play goals, but has yet to score at 5v5 this season.

Jackets Notes

Columbus has a season-high three game winning streak. … The Jackets have consecutive games with three third period goals. … Zach Werenski has a points streak of five games (7—3-4), Pierre-Luc Dubois has points over his last three (5—3-2), and Eric Robinson has two goals in his last two games, and three in his last four. … Since Nov. 1, Joonas Korpisalo is 4-3-0, .913 SV%, 2.58 GAA. … Columbus has played in 14 one-goal games, the most in the league. … The Jackets have four power play goals in their last three games. … They have allowed five goals while on the power play, the most in the league (Jets have allowed three). … In case you missed it, the Blue Jackets’ power play is running at a clip of 23.5 since Oct. 30, good for seventh in the league over that span. … Overall, the Blue Jackets are 12-for-69 (20th, 17.4%) on the power play this year.

The Other Bench

A team with Stanley Cup aspirations over the last few years, the Jets probably still like their chances, but they’ll have to overcome key offseason losses. … One was defenseman Jacob Trouba who was traded to the Rangers, while defenseman Ben Chiarot is with the Canadiens and Tyler Myers is with the Canucks. … Dustin Byfuglien also stepped away from the club prior to the season for personal reasons and it’s unclear if he will return this season. … So far this season, Winnipeg is sitting in a respectable spot within the Central Division, fourth place and six points out of first place, while leading the first wild card spot. While we know the Jackets are looking for their identity, the Jets are finding out who they are, which isn’t to say they are the type of high-scoring attack we’ve seen in recent years (2.70 GF/GP, 25th). … The Jets penalty kill is a perfect 6-for-6 over the last three games, 16-for-18 since Nov. 5 (88.9%) after starting the season 21-for-31 (67.7%). … Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (10-7-1) is tied for second among a group of goalies with 10 wins, is fifth among netminders (min 10 starts) with a .928 SV%, and seventh with a 2.45 GAA. … Backup Laurent Brossoit is 3-2-0, .871 SV%, 3.92 GAA. … Columbus native Jack Roslovic has nine points (four goals, five assists).

Season Series

11/23/2019 CBJ @ WPG
01/22/2020 WPG @ CBJ

Stats

Projected Lineups

Columbus Blue Jackets

Winnipeg Jets