x

Already member? Login first!

Comments / New

Game Day #65: Jackets return to NWA to face Vegas

Mar 4, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson (78) clears a loose puck against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

Thursday, March 13th, 2025 – 7:00PM ET
Nationwide Arena – Columbus, Ohio
TV: FDSN Ohio – Radio: 97.1FM

Vegas Golden Knights (38-19-7, 83 points, 1st Pacific, 3rd West)
at
Columbus Blue Jackets (31-25-8, 70 points, 4th Metro, 8th East)

For the first time in 16 days, the Columbus Blue Jackets will play a home game in Nationwide Arena. Their opponent is the Pacific-leading Vegas Golden Knights, with a critical two points on the line to keep pace in the playoff race and potentially pass New Jersey for the M3 seed.

Player to Watch

Christian Fischer

Based on morning rushes, it looks like waiver pickup Christian Fischer is set to make his Blue Jackets debut tonight, in place of the struggling Yegor Chinakhov. Fischer has put up one goal and six assists so far this season in 45 games with the Red Wings, and 130 points in his prior eight seasons in the NHL, mostly with the Arizona Coyotes.

Other Notes

In addition to Fischer drawing in, coach Dean Evason has promoted Boone Jenner to PP1, occupying the netfront spot previously held by Dmitri Voronkov. … Tonight is the first of a four-game homestand for the CBJ, as well as Grateful Dead night! … Despite leading the Pacific division, the Golden Knights are two points from being passed by the Central Division’s 3rd place team, Colorado, and just five points from the West’s 1st Wild Card, Minnesota. The Central is VERY good this year. … Other games of interest tonight: BOS at OTT, EDM at NJ, NYR at MIN. For a more complete breakdown, click here.

Season Series

1/30/2025 – CBJ 2 at VGK 1 (OT)
3/13/2025 – VGK at CBJ

Stats

VegasColumbus
3.34 (5)GPG3.33 (6)
2.73 (9)GAPG3.31 (27)
29.0% (3)PP%20.1% (20)
76.2% (22)PK%75.4% (24)
51.6% (7)5v5 Shot Attempt %47.6% (29)
52.0% (7)5v5 Unblocked Shot Attempt %48.1% (26)
8.8% (15)5v5 Shooting %10.7% (3)
.907 (20)5v5 Save %.909 (18)
Tomas Hertl, 27G LeaderKirill Marchenko, 25
Jack Eichel, 58A LeaderZach Werenski, 49
Jack Eichel, 78P LeaderZach Werenski, 69 (nice)
Keegan Kolesar and Nicolas Roy, 41PIM LeaderMatthieu Olivier, 120
14-12-4Home/Road20-6-4
7-2-1Last 105-4-1

Projected Lineups

Columbus Blue Jackets

Dmitri VoronkovAdam FantilliKirill Marchenko
Kent JohnsonBoone JennerMattieu Olivier
James van RiemsdykJustin DanforthLuke Kunin
Zach Aston-ReeseSean KuralyChristian Fischer
Zach WerenskiDante Fabbro
Denton MateychukIvan Provorov
Jake ChristiansenDamon Severson
Elvis Merzlikins
Daniil Tarasov

Vegas Golden Knights

Victor OlofssonJack EichelMark Stone
Brandon SaadTomas HertlPavel Dorofeyev
Reilly SmithNicolas RoyKeegan Kolesar
Tanner PearsonCole SchwindtJonas Rondbjerg
Nicolas HagueAlex Pietrangelo
Noah HanifinZach Whitecloud
Brayden McNabbKaedan Korczak
Adin Hill
Ilya Samsonov

Talking Points