Game #62 Preview: Blue Jackets look for three in a row in Pittsburgh

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 – 7:00 PM EST
PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
TV: Bally Sports Ohio; Radio: 97.1 FM

Columbus Blue Jackets (21-30-10, 52 points, 8th Metro, 16th East)

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Pittsburgh Penguins (27-24-8, 62 points, 7th Metro, 12th East)

A win for the Blue Jackets tonight would put the Penguins closer to the bottom of the division than to the last wild card spot. Things have been going poorly for Columbus’ easterly neighbor this season. Despite having Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and Karlsson healthy for every game so far, the Penguins have struggled offensively. Could the Blue Jackets be the team that pushes them into sell mode prior to Friday’s trade deadline?

Tonight marks the first time Emil Bemstrom and Alex Nylander will face their former teams. Bemstrom has one goal in five games played – he needs five more to upgrade the draft pick that was given to the Blue Jackets in the trade.

Player to Watch

Alex Nylander

The newcomer now has 4-2-6 in 5 games as a Blue Jacket. He’s also second on the team in both CF% and xGF% since the trade. After a hat trick in last night’s game, Nylander is looking more like a legitimate NHL forward than a depth player.

It’s possible that Sillinger’s play of late has elevated Nylander’s game. However, it’s hard to ignore the eye test that says it looks like he belongs out there. Is Nylander likely to fall from the more than a point-per-game pace he’s playing at? Yes. Is it possible that he’s a late bloomer who wasn’t given a proper opportunity in Pittsburgh? Also yes.

Nylander had 26 points in 65 games as a Blackhawk in 2019-20. He missed the 2020-21 season due to injury before being traded to the Penguins. He spent the entire 2021-22 season in the AHL and only played in 14 NHL games before being traded to the Blue Jackets. He’s already 26 years old, but this is his first real shot in 4 years. So far, he’s taking full advantage.

Jackets Notes

Jet Greaves will get the start tonight. He has been impressive in his two NHL starts, stopping 71 of 76 shots … The Blue Jackets have not won three games in a row in almost two years. Tonight would be a great night to end that drought.

The Other Bench

The Penguins have dropped three games in a row and have been outscored 12-4 in those games … Bryan Rust is on IR with an upper-body injury … Jake Guentzel has also been sidelined with an upper-body injury, and it’s possible he’s already played his last game as a Penguin. Rumor has it the Penguins may try to move him before the trade deadline.

Season Series

11/14/23 PIT 5 @ CBJ 3
03/05/24 CBJ @ PIT
03/28/24 CBJ @ PIT
03/30/24 PIT @ CBJ

Stats

Projected Lines

Columbus Blue Jackets

Pittsburgh Penguins