With Philadelphia losing yesterday, the Columbus Blue Jackets now have the longest active win streak in the NHL. This afternoon, they go for their ninth straight.
John Tortorella has a chance to win his 500th game as an NHL coach tonight. When asked about this on Friday night, he brushed it off by saying “It just means I’m old.” It would be sweet for him to get this win against one of his former teams: a one year employment that did not go well. This season Torts is 3-0 against his former teams.
In roster news, Gregory Campbell was placed on waivers yesterday. If he clears today, that will terminate his contract with Columbus.
Sunday, December 18, 2016 – 4:00 EST
Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
TV: Fox Sports Ohio; Radio: 97.1 WBNS FM
Opponent’s Blog: Nucks Misconduct
Columbus Blue Jackets, 19-5-4, 42 points, 3rd Metro, 4th East
vs.
Vancouver Canucks, 13-16-2, 28 points, 6th Pacific, 12th West
Season Series
12/18/16 CBJ @ VAN
2/9/17 VAN @ CBJ
Stats
| Vancouver | Columbus | |
|---|---|---|
| 2.39 (22) | GPG | 3.32 (2) |
| 3.06 (28) | GAPG | 2.04 (3) |
| 14.3% (27) | PP% | 25.9% (1) |
| 82.1% (15) | PK% | 82.3% (14) |
| 49.12% (19) | EV CF% | 51.15% (13) |
| 98.2 (27) | EV PDO | 102.5 (5) |
| Bo Horvat and Daniel Sedin, 9 | G Leader | Sam Gagner, 13 |
| Henrik Sedin, 12 | A Leader | Alex Wennberg, 19 |
| Daniel Sedin, 20 | P Leader | Cam Atkinson, 29 |
| Derek Dorsett, 33 | PIM Leader | Nick Foligno, 33 |
| 9-5-1 | Home / Road | 9-2-3 |
| 5-5-0 | Last 10 | 9-0-1 |
Looking at the numbers, there is something to be said for us playing a stretch of weaker teams here. These have been games that Columbus – a good team – should win.
Projected Lineups
No changes expected for Columbus.
| Brandon Saad | Alexander Wennberg | Nick Foligno |
| Boone Jenner | Brandon Dubinsky | Cam Atkinson |
| Matt Calvert | William Karlsson | Josh Anderson |
| Scott Hartnell | Lukas Sedlak | Sam Gagner |
| Zach Werenski | Seth Jones |
| Jack Johnson | David Savard |
| Ryan Murray | Markus Nutivaara |
| Sergei Bobrovsky |
| Curtis McElhinney |
| Daniel Sedin | Henrik Sedin | Jannik Hansen |
| Loui Eriksson | Brandon Sutter | Markus Granlund |
| Sven Baertschi | Bo Horvat | Alexandre Burrows |
| Former Jacket Jack Skille | Former Jacket Michael Chaput | Jayson Megna |
| Ben Hutton | Chris Tanev |
| Luca Sbisa | Troy Stecher |
| Nikita Tryamkin | Alex Biega |
| Ryan Miller |
| JacobMarkstrom |