Game Preview: Counting Down Until Vacation

Columbus Blue Jackets @ Nashville Predators
Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
Thursday, January 26, 2017 – 8:00 EST
TV: Fox Sports Ohio; Radio: 97.1 WBNS FM
Game Faceoff

We start the preview with some news. Cam Atkinson, as you may have heard, was named to the NHL All Star Game this morning as an injury replacement for Evgeni Malkin. Cam is most certainly deserving of the honor. He’s having a career season, and currently sits second in the NHL in goals scored this season. Cam will join Seth Jones, Sergei Bobrovsky, and John Tortorella in Los Angeles. Congratulations to Cam and the All Stars!

In the meantime, we have a game to play. The Blue Jackets continue their road trip, taking on the Nashville Predators. The Blue Jackets will remember one of the faces of the Predators, taking on former center Ryan Johansen. Johansen is having a decent season, posting 8-28-36 this year.

The Blue Jackets are probably looking forward to the All Star break for a chance to reset and refocus during the dog days of January and February. After the 16 game winning streak, in which they only allowed 27 goals, the Jackets have gone 5-6, allowing 36 goals in those 11 games. The break will likely benefit the team going forward.

There have been no announcements regarding team news this morning. David Savard and Markus Nutivaara are still out, and Sergei Bobrovsky is the presumed starter in goal tonight.

Go Jackets. Let’s finish this stretch strong.

Probable Lineups

Columbus Blue Jackets

Nashville Predators