Game #28 Preview/Gamethread: Blue Jackets limp into New York to face Islanders

Thursday, December 7, 2023 – 7:30 PM ET
UBS Arena, Elmont, NY
TV: Bally’s Sports Ohio – Radio: 97.1 FM
Opponent’s Blog: Belmont Skates

Columbus Blue Jackets, 8-14-5, 21 points, 8th Metro, 15th East

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New York Islanders, 10-7-7, 27 points, 4th Metro, 9th West

After what many consider the worst loss of the season so far, the Jackets are heading into enemy territory to take on a team that shut them out the last time they met. To make matters worse, the Islanders have 14 points in their last 10 games (5-1-4). They did, however, blow a 4-1 lead over the Sharks on Tuesday, losing in OT. Both of these teams will be extra hungry for a win tonight.

Robinson Traded

Eric Robinson was traded to the Buffalo Sabres yesterday. He played 266 games with Columbus over the course of 7 seasons, scoring 38-44-82. He was a healthy scratch early on in the season before getting sent to Cleveland. He seems to have lost a step from the speedster he used to be, but he will always be remembered fondly in Columbus.

The return is a 2025 7th-round pick, should Robinson play 45 games for the Sabres this season.

Best of luck, Eric!

Player to Watch

Nick Blankenburg

It’s unclear as of this morning whether or not Blankenburg will be in tonight’s lineup. With 3-8-11 in 18 games in Cleveland this season, he absolutely should get the nod over Peeke should Gudbranson be well enough to play.

The Jackets always seem to play better when Blankenburg is in the lineup. The Michigan native plays with speed and a ton of passion. He’s a good puck mover and is effective on both the power play and penalty kill. It’s a shame it took 28 games and an injury for him to finally get a call-up – that speaks to the broader roster management woes coming from the front office this season.

Jackets Notes

There was a lot of injury and illness news yesterday:

Boqvist will miss four weeks with a shoulder strain … Merzlikins will miss one week with an illness … Sillinger was put on IR but is still listed as day-to-day … It’s not known as of this morning if Laine will be back or not … Blankenburg, Bemstrom, and Greaves were recalled from Cleveland.

Brian Hedger of The Dispatch reported that Bemstrom also wishes to get a change of scenery. The Swede has gotten jerked around quite a bit in Columbus over the last several seasons. He’s shown glimpses of great play but has struggled to put together consistency. Hopefully, the Jackets can find him a new home where he can get consistent playing time in the NHL.

The Other Bench

The Islanders are in a situation similar to that of the Jackets during the Bobrovsky years. Their underlying stats don’t look as if they are currently one point out of a wild card spot. It’s amazing what an elite goaltender can do for you.

Season Series

10/28/23 NYI 2 @ CBJ 0
12/07/23 CBJ @ NYI
04/04/24 NYI @ CBJ

Stats

Projected Lineups

Columbus Blue Jackets

New York Islanders