After a brutal six game road trip saw the Blue Jackets limp home with just one win–despite some pretty solid efforts–Columbus is home again tonight to kick off a stretch of 10 of 12 at Nationwide. Which is nice.
Not so nice? James Wisniewski breaking a bone in his foot, and missing what will be “an extended period of time” according to coach Todd Richards. For a team struggling to score on the Power Play, that’s now both top PP blue-liners out for possibly a solid stretch of time. Cody Goloubef has been recalled to fill the spot, and will go tonight most likely with Tim Erixon.
It will be Sergei Bobrovsky in net tonight for the Jackets.
The Stars come in having lost in OT last night in Nashville, so they should be the more tired team, especially with the slate of defensemen injuries they themselves have had. Richard Bachman looks to be the starter in net, as Kari Lehtonen is still not ready working back from a groin injury, and Cristopher Nilstorp played last night in the OT game.