Game #7 Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets welcome familiar faces to town as Florida Panthers visit

Florida Panthers at Columbus Blue Jackets
Tuesday, January 26, 2020 – 7:00 EST
Nationwide Arena – Columbus, OH
TV: Fox Sports Ohio – Radio: WBNS FM
Opponent’s Blog: Litter Box Cats

Florida Panthers (2-0-0, 4 points, 5th Central)
@
Columbus Blue Jackets (2-2-2, 6 points, 2nd Central)

The Columbus Blue Jackets tonight will play host to the Florida Panthers. They will welcome one new face to the lineup tonight while they wait for several other to clear COVID protocol.

The Covid list is out. It has Laine/Roslovic on it. It does not have Mikko Koivu on it. Kekalainen said earlier today that he would be available on Tuesday. #CBJ

— Mark Scheig (@markscheig) January 23, 2021

Oh, yeah, there was a trade. You might have heard about it. Shortly before Saturday’s game, the Columbus Blue Jackets sent disgruntled center Pierre-Luc Dubois and a third round pick to the Winnipeg Jets for Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic.

Neither of the new players are available tonight while they wait to clear COVID-19 protocol. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers are playing just their third game due to scheduling rearrangements due to league protocols. The Panthers’ schedule is now heavily condensed.

The NHL’s Central Division is being squeezed by COVID postponements. Schedule now calls for:

Florida to play remaining 54 games in 102 days
Dallas to play remaining 54 games in 104 days
Carolina to play remaining 53 games in 100 days
Tampa to play remaining 52 games in 102 days

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) January 25, 2021

Can the Blue Jackets build on their win over the Lightning? We will find out tonight.

Player to Watch

Mikko Koivu

Koivu, after clearing COVID-19 protocols, will tonight make his debut for the Columbus Blue Jackets and play his first game for a team not named the Minnesota Wild. Koivu’s 2019-20 season was cut short with a knee injury, but prior to that he had played 55 games while posting 4-17-21 in 15:34 per night. Koivu brings a 53.11% faceoff winning percentage, defensive acumen, and a wealth of experience in 1028 career NHL games. Koivu will slot into the center as the Blue Jackets wait for Roslovic and Laine to become available.

#CBJ Mikko Koivu said his COVID symptoms were mild, but the 10-day quarantine was plenty difficult. Skated with the group today, said he felt fine, and doesn’t expect there to be any residual effects.

He will make his #CBJ debut on Tuesday vs. Florida.

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 25, 2021

Jackets Notes

The Blue Jackets’ game on Tuesday, February 16 has been moved to Monday, February 15 as a result of the NHL restructuring the schedule due to COVID outbreaks … Alex Texier and Liam Foudy were moved to the taxi squad in paper moves on Sunday before being moved back on Monday as a way to get cap savings on the books .. Brandon Dubinsky (wrist) was placed on LTIR … the team released their alternate jersey schedule

You asked. We listened.

Our official Third/Reverse Retro jersey schedule is here! 🔥

→ https://t.co/pqfd0pZBDr pic.twitter.com/HLJvrRbdSp

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) January 25, 2021

The Other Bench

The Panthers bring four players who have recently played for the Blue Jackets, along with General Manager Bill Zito, back to Columbus … The Panthers tweaked schedule was released

NHL sets dates for PPD #FlaPanthers games v Carolina: Game #62, Florida at Carolina, originally Jan. 21, is now scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. ET
 
Game #76, Florida at Carolina, originally scheduled for Jan. 23, is now scheduled for Sunday, March 7 at 5 p.m.  ET

— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) January 25, 2021

Season Series

01/26/2021 FLA @ CBJ
01/28/2021 FLA @ CBJ
03/09/2021 FLA @ CBJ
03/11/2021 FLA @ CBJ
04/03/2021 CBJ @ FLA
04/04/2021 CBJ @ FLA
04/19/2021 CBJ @ FLA
04/20/2021 CBJ @ FLA

Stats

Projected Lineups