Game 7 (X) Preview: Getting Closer
The Jackets continue in their loaded exhibition schedule by welcoming the Hurricanes to Nationwide.
Carolina Hurricanes at Columbus Blue Jackets
Wednesday, October 1, 2014 - 7:00 EDT
Nationwide Arena - Columbus, Ohio
Opponents' Blog: Canes Country
TV: Streamed via Team Website
The one silver lining to all of the injuries and contract issues? This team will be battle-tested in terms of having gotten the chance to see the guys play. A lot.
Tonight continues the slate, with the team's second go-round with the Hurricanes. Columbus will ice a much more "NHL-ready" lineup tonight, and there are some interesting lines to consider:
| Scott Hartnell | Artem Anisimov | Marko Dano |
| Matt Calvert | Alexander Wennberg | Cam Atkinson |
| Simon Hjalmarsson | Mark Letestu | Nick Foligno |
| Corey Tropp | Michael Chaput | Jared Boll |
Likewise, I find these D pairings intriguing, because with Ryan Murray still not technically practicing, this *could* be the opening night defensive lineup:
| Fedor Tyutin | Dalton Prout |
| Jack Johnson | David Savard |
| Tim Erixon | James Wisniewski |
No surprises in goal:
| Sergei Bobrovsky |
| Curtis McElhinney |
This Jackets lineup is interesting, in that there are a lot of things that we *could* see when the season opens for real next Thursday night. For guys like Dano, Hjalmarsson, Wennberg, and Chaput, the injuries and absences give them a little extra time to show their wares before the final roster decisions are made.
The Hurricanes, on the other hand, are having their own bouts with the injury bug and will be sending a lineup that is very light on big names. Both the Staals are absent (with Jordan being done for at least three months with a broken leg) as is Jeff Skinner. Their defense is a little more NHL-like, and they're sending both NHL goal-tenders. That said, those forwards. Woof.
| Nathan Gerbe | Victor Rask | Zach Boychuk |
| Brad Malone | Jay McClement | Patrick Dwyer |
| Phillip Di Giuseppe | Patrick Brown | Brendan Woods |
| Brock McGinn | Brody Sutter | Carter Sandlak |
| Ron Hainsey | Tim Gleason |
| John-Michael Liles | Brett Bellemore |
| Michal Jordan | Rasmus Rissanen |
| Anton Khudobin |
| Cam Ward |
This is another one that the team is graciously streaming on its website, for those of you looking to watch at home. It will also be on ESPN 1460 AM on the radio as well.
Enjoy!