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Game day #74: Can the Blue Jackets withstand an Avalanche?

Apr 1, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) controls the puck as Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) defends during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

Thursday, April 3, 2025 – 7:30 PM EDT
Nationwide Arena – Columbus, OH
TV: FDSNOH; Radio: 97.1 FM

Colorado Avalanche (45-26-4, 94 points, 3rd Central, 4th West)

at

Columbus Blue Jackets (34-30-9, 77 points, 5th Metro, 10th East)

It’s Military Appreciation Night at NWA. Thank you to all who have served our country.

Player to Watch

Cale Makar

Zach Werenski seems to be a lock to be a Norris Trophy finalist, and his chief rival may be Makar, a finalist four years in a row and winner in 2021-22. Makar leads defensemen in the league in goals, assists, and points (28/57/85). Werenski has 20/54/74, but carrying the Jackets into the playoffs could be enough to make up that difference in the eyes of the voters.

Jackets Notes

The New York Rangers beat the Minnesota Wild in overtime last night, moving them ahead of the Jackets, 79 points to 77. The Jackets do hold two games in hand still, however.

The Other Bench

Back in October, the Jackets won 6-4 in Denver for their first win of the season. Colorado has a bunch of new arrivals since then, including a complete turnover of the goalie room and the departure of Mikko Rantanen and arrival of Martin Necas, Brock Nelson, and Charlie Coyle, to name a few.

Season Series

10/12/2024 CBJ 6 @ COL 4
04/03/2025 COL @ CBJ

Stats

ColoradoColumbus
3.32 (6)GPG3.23 (10)
2.77 (10)GAPG3.36 (27)
25.4 (7)PP%19.3 (22)
79.1 (15)PK%75.8 (24)
53.6 (4)5v5 Shot Attempt %48.6 (23)
53.6 (5)5v5 Unblocked Shot Attempt %48.9 (20)
8.6 (21)5v5 Shooting %10.3 (3)
90.9 (20)5v5 Save %90.6 (21)
Nathan MacKinnon, 30G LeaderKirill Marchenko, 31
Nathan MacKinnon, 80A LeaderZach Werenski, 54
Nathan MacKinnon, 110P LeaderZach Werenski, 74
Miles Wood, 48PIM LeaderMathieu Olivier, 125
20-15-1Home/Road22-9-5
6-2-2Last 103-6-1

Projected Lineups

Columbus Blue Jackets

Dmitri VoronkovSean MonahanKirill Marchenko
Boone JennerAdam FantilliKent Johnson
Cole SillingerJustin DanforthMathieu Olivier
Zach Aston-ReeseSean KuralyLuke Kunin
Zach WerenskiDante Fabbro
Denton MateychukIvan Provorov
Jake ChristiansenDamon Severson
Elvis Merzlikins
Daniil Tarasov

Colorado Avalanche

Jonathan DrouinNathan MacKinnonArtturi Lehkonen
Valeri NichushkinBrock NelsonMartin Necas
Joel KivirantaCharlie CoyleRoss Colton
Parker KellyJack DruryLogan O’Connor
Devon ToewsCale Makar
Ryan LindgrenSam Malinski
Keaton MiddletonErik Johnson
Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood

Talking Points