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Game #3 Preview: Blue Jackets to honor Gaudreaus, host Panthers in home opener

Sep 4, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Mourners gather for a candlelight vigil to remember Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau at Nationwide Arena. Gaudreau, along with his brother, Matthew, died in a bicycle crash last week. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-Imagn Images via Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY Network

Tuesday, October 15, 2024 – 7:00 PM EDT
Nationwide Arena – Columbus, Ohio
TV: Bally Sports Ohio; Radio: 97.1 FM
Opponent’s Site: Litter Box Cats

Florida Panthers (2-2-0, 4 points, t-3rd Atlantic, t-5th East)

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Columbus Blue Jackets (1-1-0, 2 points, t-4th Metro, t-10th East)

After an encouraging split on a season-opening road trip, the Blue Jackets return to Columbus for their first game of the season in front of the Fifth Line. In lieu of the typical opening night festivities (those have been postponed to Thursday’s game), this game will be a celebration of the lives of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. It’s sure to be an emotional night for all involved. In addition to the Columbus players who are mourning Gaudreau, Panthers forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett played with Gaudreau in Calgary, while defenseman Adam Boqvist was his teammate for the last two years here.

Player to Watch

Kent Johnson

The most impressive player in preseason and the first two games of the season has been the former first round pick, who is entering his third full season in the NHL. He finally put on weight (and muscle) in the off-season, and is playing a much more assertive game. He is flashing the offensive skill that was promised, with a goal in each game so far. He is also earning the trust of the coaches on the other end, as he has received penalty kill minutes as well.

Jackets Notes

Zach Aston-Reese left Saturday’s game in the first period, but was back on the ice for practice on Monday. Dylan Gambrell took his spot on the fourth line in line rushes, however, so it’s possible ZAR gets this game off … Another lineup change appears to be Jordan Harris making his CBJ debut in place of Jack Johnson. Harris was the player Columbus received in exchange for Patrik Laine this summer … There was a special guest coach at practice, hockey dad and longtime youth coach Guy Gaudreau:

The Other Bench

The defending Stanley Cup Champions will be without their two best skaters: captain Sasha Barkov is out with an ankle injury after taking an awkward slide into the boards in Ottawa, and Matthew Tkachuk is out until next week with an illness … The Panthers are finishing a four game road trip and are on the back end of a back-to-back following a matinee game in Boston on Monday. They beat the Bruins 4-3 … Former Jacket Sergei Bobrovsky played yesterday, so expect Spencer Knight in net tonight.

Season Series

10/15/2024 FLA @ CBJ
03/06/2025 CBJ @ FLA
03/20/2025 FLA @ CBJ

Stats

FloridaColumbus
3.25 (16)GPG4.00 (6)
3.75 (23)GAPG3.50 (17)
13.3 (24)PP%33.3 (8)
85.7 (10)PK%57.1 (28)
53.6 (8)5v5 Shot Attempt %50.3 (15)
49.6 (16)5v5 Unblocked Shot Attempt %48.4 (21)
9.2 (13)5v5 Shooting %14.3 (2)
88.0 (24)5v5 Save %93.0 (12)
Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, 3G LeaderZach Werenski, Kent Johnson, 2
Sam Reinhart, A.J. Greer, Evan Rodrigues, Matthew Tkachuk, Jesper Boqvist, 2A LeaderYegor Chinakhov, 3
Sam Reinhart, 5P LeaderYegor Chinakhov, 4
A.J. Greer, 16PIM LeaderDamon Severson, Cole Sillinger, 4
1-2-0Home/Road0-0-0
2-2-0Last 101-1-0

Projected Lines

Columbus Blue Jackets

Yegor ChinakhovSean MonahanKirill Marchenko
James van RiemsdykAdam FantilliKevin Labanc
Mikael PyyhtiaCole SillingerKent Johnson
Dylan GambrellSean KuralyMathieu Olivier
Zach WerenskiIvan Provorov
Jake ChristiansenDamon Severson
Jordan HarrisErik Gudbranson
Elvis Merzlikins
Daniil Tarasov

Florida Panthers

Carter VerhaegheSam BennettEvan Rodrigues
Eetu LuostarinenAnton LundellSam Reinhart
A.J. GreerJesper BoqvistMackie Samoskevich
Jonah GadjovichPatrick GilesUvis Balinskis
Gustav ForslingAaron Ekblad
Niko MikkolaDmitry Kulikov
Nate SchmidtAdam Boqvist
Spencer Knight
Sergei Bobrovsky

Talking Points