Game #61 Preview: San Jose Sharks at Columbus Blue Jackets

San Jose Sharks at Columbus Blue Jackets
Saturday, February 23, 2019 – 5:00 EST
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
TV: Fox Sports Ohio – Radio: WBNS FM
Opponent’s Blog: Fear the Fin

San Jose Sharks, 36-17-8, 80 points, 2nd Pacific, 2nd West
@
Columbus Blue Jackets, 34-23-3, 71 points, 3rd Metro, 6th East

No rest for the weary. Literally.

Yesterday was eventful, to say the very least. The Columbus Blue Jackets kicked off the trade deadline in a big way, giving up Vitaly Abramov and Jonathan Davidsson for unrestricted free agent Matt Duchene. It is a win-now move for GM Jarmo Kekalainen, who has elected that now is the time to push the chips in and try to make some noise in the playoffs. With the looming exits of Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin, why not go for it now?

Oh, yeah, there was a game last night. Duchene, formerly of the Senators, got to play against the Senators in Ottawa as the Jackets beat the Senators 3-0. After an international back to back that required the team to go through customs late at night, the Columbus Blue Jackets return home to an early start time tonight as they host the San Jose Sharks at Nationwide Arena. The Sharks will be rested, fresh off of an absolute demolition of the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh on Thursday night.

#CBJ win 3-0 over the Senators.

They’ll take a win (and a center) with them as they return home to face San Jose tomorrow.

— Alison (@AlisonL) February 23, 2019

With Sergei Bobrovsky playing last night in Ottawa, expect Joonas Korpisalo to get the start in goal tonight for the Blue Jackets opposite the Sharks’ Martin Jones.

Player to Watch

Matt Duchene

Two years after yours truly wrote that the Blue Jackets needed to trade for him, Matt Duchene is coming home from Ottawa a Blue Jacket. Duchene posted three shots, two takeaways, 53% faceoffs, and played 19:11 in his first game in the union blue. Tonight, he will make his home debut in a CBJ sweater. Let’s give him the warm welcome he deserves and do our part to keep him here.

Immigration hurdles complete for CBJ and Matt Duchene. After playing tonight in Ottawa, can travel with team and make his home debut tomorrow at Nationwide.

— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) February 22, 2019

Oh, and he got the kepi last night.

Jackets Notes

Matt Duchene (27-31-58) immediately becomes the second leading scorer on the Blue Jackets … Duchene has 46 even strength points this season … Columbus went 0-4 on the power play last night, all in the first period … Sergei Bobrovsky has four shutouts this season, now up to 28 for his career … Josh Anderson has a career high 22 goals this season, including seven in his last 12 games

An assist on Anderson’s goal gives Pierre-Luc Dubois 42-58-100 in 143 games. He has reached 100 points faster than any player in #CBJ history, besting Nikolai Zherdev (47-53-100 in 156 games). Rick Nash picked up his 100th point in his 164th game.

— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) February 23, 2019

The Other Bench

The Sharks beat the Penguins 4-0 in Pittsburgh Thursday night … Michael Haley, recent waiver claim, plays a heavy game for the Sharks and may be in the lineup tonight … Thomas Hertl scored two power play goals for the Sharks in Thursday’s win … Erik Karlsson leads the Sharks in minutes, averaging 25:01 per game

Season Series

11/01/2018 CBJ 4 @ SJS 1
02/23/2019 SJS @ CBJ

Stats

Projected Lineups