Game #52 Preview: Struggling Columbus Blue Jackets Visit Slumping Colorado Avalanche

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:
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.

— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) February 4, 2019

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

Projected Lineups