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Gameday #50: Blue Jackets come home to face the Kings

Dec 5, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) knocks the puck off the stick of Los Angeles Kings center Phillip Danault (24) during the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday, January 25, 2025 – 7:00 PM EST
Nationwide Arena – Columbus, OH
TV: FDSNOH; Radio: 97.1 FM

Los Angeles King (26-14-5, 57 points, 3rd Pacific, 7th West)

at

Columbus Blue Jackets (23-19-7, 53 points, 4th Metro, 8th East)

After a four game road trip, the Blue Jackets are back home for one game before heading out west later in the week.

It’s also Star Wars night! What’s your favorite movie or TV series in the franchise? I’m going to be cliched and say Empire Strikes Back is best but of the recent stuff I’ve really loved Rogue One and Andor. I also quite enjoyed the most recent show, Skeleton Crew. It’s one the whole family can watch together.

Player to Watch

Darcy Kuemper

The Kings acquired Kuemper in the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade this summer, and it has paid off in a big way. He has bounced back with a .922 save percentage and a staggering 2.06 GAA. This is a good test for the Jackets, who have had no trouble scoring at home.

Jackets Notes

Boone Jenner participated in morning skate today, which is a huge step in his recovery from his shoulder injury. He is still not close to joining the lineup again but this is a positive sign that he’s on track to be back by March 1 … Denton Mateychuk will return to the lineup after missing three games with an illness. Cole Sillinger is still out with an upper body injury … In news around the league, the Carolina Hurricanes completed a blockbuster trade with the Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks in which they acquired Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall. Holy crap! I’m glad we don’t have to play the Canes any more this season.

The Other Bench

The Kings have cooled off a little bit, with a 2-4-0 record in their last 6 games. The last one was a 2-1 win over the Florida Panthers, however … Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Angelenos affected by the massive wildfires still burning throughout Los Angeles county. It’s devastating to see the scope of the destruction, with entire neighborhoods wiped out in places like Malibu and Altadena. If you would like to help the recovery efforts, the Kings have a page with links to where you can donate.

Season Series

11/09/2024 CBJ 2 @ LAK 5
01/25/2025 LAK @ CBJ

Stats

Los AngelesColumbus
2.91 (18)GPG3.31 (6)
2.44 (2)GAPG3.37 (28)
16.2 (28)PP%22.8 (11)
82.1 (7)PK%74.6 (26)
52.3 (5)5v5 Shot Attempt %48.0 (27)
53.7 (4)5v5 Unblocked Shot Attempt %48.7 (22)
9.5 (7)5v5 Shooting %10.0 (3)
92.3 (6)5v5 Save %90.5 (22)
Adrian Kempe, 24G LeaderKirill Marchenko, 19
Anze Kopitar, 31A LeaderZach Werenski, 38
Adrian Kempe, 44P LeaderZach Werenski, 53
Tanner Jeannot, 69PIM LeaderMathieu Olivier, 90
11-11-4Home/Road16-5-3
6-4-0Last 107-2-1

Projected Lineups

Columbus Blue Jackets

Dmitri VoronkovAdam FantilliKirill Marchenko
James van RiemsdykLuca Del Bel BelluzKent Johnson
Zach Aston-ReeseJustin DanforthMathieu Olivier
Mikael PyyhtiaSean KuralyKevin Labanc
Zach WerenskiDante Fabbro
Denton MateychukIvan Provorov
Jake ChristiansenDamon Severson
Elvis Merzlikins
Daniil Tarasov

Los Angeles Kings

Alex TurcotteAnze KopitarAdrian Kempe
Warren FoegeleQuinton ByfieldTrevor Moore
Kevin FialaPhillip DanaultAkil Thomas
Tanner JeannotSamuel HeleniusTrevor Lewis
Mikey AndersonVladislav Gavrikov
Joel EdmundsonJordan Spence
Jacob MoverareBrandt Clarke
Darcy Kuemper
David Rittich

Talking Points