Game #52 Preview: Struggling Columbus Blue Jackets Visit Slumping Colorado Avalanche
Here’s what you need to know.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Colorado Avalanche
Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - 9:00 PM EST
Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
TV: Fox Sports Ohio - Radio: WBNS FM
Opponent’s Blog: Mile High Hockey
Columbus Blue Jackets, 28-20-3, 59 points, 4th Metro, 8th East
@
Colorado Avalanche, 22-21-8, 52 points, 5th Central, 9th West
The Columbus Blue Jackets are on a five game losing streak. The questions surrounding Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin are growing louder as trade rumors swirl. The team held a meeting yesterday to reportedly air out all questions and get everything out in the open. The season appears to be coming to a head as the team embarks on a three game western road trip that could help to define their season.
Yesterday, trade rumors began to leak out regarding Sergei Bobrovsky.
Panthers interested in dealing for Bobrovsky as prelude to enticing him to sign what would be an 8-year extension. Brassard would likely be part of package going to Columbus in return, we're told.
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) February 4, 2019
There was a practice for the Blue Jackets yesterday, and Torts blended the lines again, seeking to get his team and his struggling center Alex Wennberg going.
#CBJ morning lines in Denver:
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) February 4, 2019
71-18-13
9-10-28
91-38-77
37-17-20
3-14
8-58
4-65
27 not skating. 45 and 55 are.
As all of this takes place, the Blue Jackets prepare to face off with struggling Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche, with just three wins in their last 16 games, broke up their top line of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Gabriel Landeskog in an attempt to get struggling players going. It did not work, as the Avalanche fell to the Vancouver Canucks.
Can the Blue Jackets right the ship against a fellow struggling team? We’ll find out tonight.
Player to Watch
Sergei Bobrovsky
Is Sergei Bobrovsky’s time as the Blue Jackets netminder coming to an end? If that is indeed the case, the Blue Jackets should look to send their netminder out on a high note. Bobrovsky has had little defensive support of late, with blown coverage leading to multiple goals. Sergei Bobrovsky has not played his best either, however, letting several soft goals over the recent losing streak. Can he find his game to help break the streak in potentially his final appearances in a Blue Jackets sweater?
Jackets Notes
Alexander Wennberg has 32 shots in 34 games since his only goal of the season ... The Blue Jackets are 2-5-1 in eight home sellouts this season ... The Jackets had 41.67% of the shots at 5v5 in the game against St. Louis ... The Jackets held a team meeting in after landing in Denver Sunday afternoon ... Boone Jenner skated yesterday, but is considered day to day
The Other Bench
The Avalanche have lost three straight on home ice ... the top line of Rantanen/Landeskog/MacKinnon has combined for 199 points this season ... Erik Johnson returned to the lineup ... Colorado has allowed three goals in 33 of 51 games thus far this season ... The Avalanche are 1-7 in overtime this season, and 0-1 in shootouts
Season Series
10/09/2018 COL 2 @ CBJ 5
02/05/2019 CBJ @ COL
Stats
| Colorado | Columbus | |
|---|---|---|
| 3.33 (7) | GPG | 3.20 (9) |
| 3.25 (24) | GAPG | 3.10 (20) |
| 24.7% (5) | PP% | 15.3% (27) |
| 76.4% (27) | PK% | 83.2% (7) |
| 50.55% (11) | EV Corsi % | 49.73% (16) |
| 0.991 (24) | EV PDO | 1.000 (15) |
| Gabriel Landeskog, 29 | G Leader | Cam Atkinson, 28 |
| Mikko Rantanen, 51 | A Leader | Artemi Panarin, 39 |
| Mikko Rantanen, 74 | P Leader | Artemi Panarin, 59 |
| Ian Cole, 70 | PIM Leader | Josh Anderson, 48 |
| 10-9-5 | Home / Road | 14-9-1 |
| 3-7-0 | Last 10 | 4-6-0 |
Projected Lineups
| Nick Foligno | Pierre-Luc Dubois | Cam Atkinson |
| Artemi Panarin | Alexander Wennberg | Oliver Bjorkstrand |
| Anthony Duclair | Boone | Josh Anderson |
| Markus Hannikainen | Brandon Dubinsky | Riley Nash |
| Zach Werenski | Seth Jones |
| Ryan Murray | David Savard |
| Scott Harrington | Markus Nutivaara |
| Sergei Bobrovsky |
| Joonas Korpisalo |
| Gabriel Landeskog | Nathan MacKinnon | Mikko Rantanen |
| Alexander Kerfoot | Carl Soderberg | Colin Wilson |
| Matthew Nieto | JT Compher | Matt Calvert |
| Sven Andrighetto | Sheldon Dries | Gabriel Borque |
| Ian Cole | Erik Johnson |
| Nikita Zadorov | Tyson Barrie |
| Patrik Nemeth | Samuel Gerard |
| Semyon Varlamov |
| Philipp Grubauer |