Saturday, March 13, 2021 – 5:00 EST
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
TV: Fox Sports Ohio – Radio: WBNS FM
Opponent’s Blog: Defending Big D
Yes, that’s Geoff Sanderson up there. Back in the beginning…simpler times. I was so hyped and enthusiastic about the Columbus Blue Jackets and Sanderson was a big reason why. I knew this player. I knew he was good. Surely the CBJ wouldn’t be too bad for an expansion team if guys like Sanderson were there from day one. At worst, he’d help set the stage for relatively quick success for the CBJ. There was a direction with the team on Day 1. They knew where they wanted to go (as it turned out, Doug MacLean didn’t actually know how to get there, but he at least had the direction correct).
Now, who the h-e-double-hockey-sticks knows?!
So let’s try to focus on this weekend against Dallas. Since drubbing Columbus 5-0 last weekend, the Stars have earned three points out of three games. They have a whopping six games in hand on Columbus and are 5 points behind in the standings — but they haven’t taken advantage lately as they are the midst of a 3-6-1 stretch. That’s still better than Columbus’ last 10 games, though. I have to admit, I do like watching Miro Heiskanen play. He’d probably be on the taxi squad for the CBJ, but that’s probably because the Stars have lower standards.
As for Columbus, well… you know. A Bob performance here, a pathetic collapse aided by the head coach there. Patrik Laine, Jack Roslovic, and Eric Robinson weren’t benched in the 2nd game against Florida, but they also didn’t see ice for rather significant chunks of the 3rd period as the Panthers’ comeback flourished. On the bright side, Jarmo wasn’t going to take this loss in stride. That man is making MOVES. He knows what his coach needs and he won’t stop until he gets it. So he traded for a taxi squad defenseman that can’t play for at least a week.
Out of our blue, we rise.
By the way, this is also your gamethread.
Player to Watch
I avoid choosing opposing players here and it does not seem to matter much if a player does well for the CBJ — chances are you may not see them in the 3rd period. So just freestyle it today (and tomorrow). Pick someone wearing a CBJ uniform and have at it. Besides, the last guy I picked got traded.
Season Series
02/02/21 DAL 6 @ CBJ 3
02/04/21 DAL 3 @ CBJ 4
03/04/21 CBJ 3 @ DAL 2
03/06/21 CBJ 0 @ DAL 5
03/13/21 DAL @ CBJ
03/14/21 DAL @ CBJ
04/15/21 CBJ @ DAL
04/17/21 CBJ @ DAL
Potential Lineups
| Nick Foligno | Boone Jenner | Cam Atkinson |
| Emil Bemstrom | Riley Nash | Oliver Bjorkstrand |
| Eric Robinson | Jack Roslovic | Patrik Laine |
| Max Domi | Alexandre Texier | Kevin Stenlund |
| Zach Werenski | Seth Jones |
| Gabriel Carlsson | David Savard |
| Dean Kukan | Michael Del Zotto |
| Joonas Korpisalo |
| Elvis Merzlikins |
| Jamie Benn | Roope Hintz | Joe Pavelski |
| Joel Kiviranta | Jason Dickinson | Denis Gurianov |
| Andrew Cogliano | Radek Faksa | Blake Comeau |
| Nicholas Caamano | Tanner Kero | Ty Dellandrea |
| Esa Lindell | John Klingberg |
| Jamie Oleksiak | Miro Heiskanen |
| Andrej Sekera | Mark Pysyk |
| Anton Khudobin |
| Jake Oettinger |
Stats
| Dallas | Columbus | |
|---|---|---|
| 2.91 (18) | GPG | 2.64 (24) |
| 2.55 (8) | GAPG | 3.29 (25) |
| 24.4% (11) | PP% | 16.2% (25) |
| 77.8% (18) | PK% | 72.5% (28) |
| 52.3% (6) | 5v5 Corsi % | 46.4% (31) |
| 51.2% (11) | 5v5 Fenwick % | 47.6% (27) |
| 7.7% (20) | 5v5 Shot % | 8.1% (16) |
| .929 (5) | 5v5 Save % | .914 (21) |
| Joe Pavelski, 13 | G Leader | Cam Atkinson and Oliver Bjorkstrand, 10 |
| John Klingberg, 12 | A Leader | Seth Jones and Oliver Bjorkstrand, 12 |
| Joe Pavelski, 24 | P Leader | Oliver Bjorkstrand, 22 |
| Jamie Benn, 21 | PIM Leader | Max Domi, 33 |
| 2-5-1 | Home / Road | 6-5-4 |
| 3-6-1 | Last 10 | 2-6-2 |