Game #4 Preview: Blue Jackets look to bounce back against the Islanders

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New York Islanders
Thursday, October 21, 2021, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
TV: Bally Sports Ohio; Radio: 97.1 FM
Opponent’s Blog: Lighthouse Hockey

Columbus Blue Jackets, 2-1-0, 4 points, 7th Metro, 12th East
vs.
New York Islanders, 1-2-0, 2 points, 8th Metro, 15th East

It’s the first “response” game of the year for the Blue Jackets as they look for redemption after an uninspiring loss in their first road game of the year. They return home to take on the New York Islanders, fresh off their first win of the season. The Isles will look to build on their confidence while the Jackets try to regain their own. The Isles — in particular their fourth line — play a heavy game, so it’s worth wondering how this Blue Jackets team will match up.

Player to Watch

Yegor Chinakhov

Chinakhov by all accounts looked solid in his NHL debut. As Coach Larsen mentioned, he was one of the few Blue Jackets who had his legs going and looked dangerous last game.  He’ll hopefully see some more ice time that should result in more shots on net, and with a laser of a shot like his, should result in some goals sooner rather than later. I’m predicting his first NHL goal tonight.

Jackets Notes

The Blue Jackets will need to put forward a much better effort this evening if they want to get back into the win column. It was clear from the jump the Jackets just didn’t have it Tuesday night, and if not for a stellar performance from Joonas Korpisalo, it would have been even more embarrassing. This is the first test of this young team and new coaching staff’s resolve, so it will be interesting to see how they respond after such a poor performance. I’d look for some more line juggling after some pretty horrid stats last game.

Zach Werenski was absent from practice yesterday for what Brad Larsen claimed to be a “maintenance day.” Some more eyebrows were raised when Gabriel Carlsson was called up from Cleveland later in the day. It may be as simple as the coaching staff wanting to see another body on the third pair after Dean Kukan and Scott Harrington failed to impress. We should know more as the day wears on.

The Other Bench

The Islanders picked up their first win of the season on Tuesday night by spoiling the Chicago Blackhawks’ home opener, defeating the hapless Hawks 4-1. Big games from goal scoring winger, Oliver Walhstrom, and goaltender, Ilya Sorokin, led the way. The Islanders’ bruising fourth line also returned to full strength with Matt Martin returning to the lineup. He provided an immediate spark, dropping the gloves in his first game back. Isles captain, Anders Lee, missed the game on Tuesday due to illness, but should be ready to go tonight in Columbus. New York is in search of their first road win of the year.

Season Series

10/21/21 NYI @ CBJ
1/18/22 CBJ @ NYI
3/29/22 NYI @ CBJ
3/31/22 CBJ @ NYI

Stats

Projected Lineups