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GameDay #51: Blue Jackets begin another road trip in Vegas

Mar 23, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov (9) fends off Vegas Golden Knights right wing Michael Amadio (22) as Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Daniil Tarasov (40) defends his net during the second period at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Thursday, January 30, 2025 – 10:00 PM
T-Mobile Arena – Las Vegas, Nevada
TV: FDSNOH – Radio: 97.1FM

Columbus Blue Jackets (24-19-7, 55 points, 4th Metropolitan, 9th East)
at
Vegas Golden Knights (31-15-5, 67 points, 2nd Pacific, 3rd West)

Aside from a quick pit stop at NWA, the Blue Jackets are returning from one four-game road trip to start another four-game road trip. They went 1-2-1 on the previous attempt, so here’s to hoping they turn their fortunes around in Vegas.

Players to Watch

The Bottom Six

With Boone Jenner’s return imminent, and Yegor Chinakhov progressing as well, two players from the bottom six are about to find themselves in the press box. I would guess Mattieu Olivier is safe, as is Sean Kuraly due to leadership purposes. Kevin Labanc has seemingly been banished to the shadow realm. But that leaves Justin Danforth, Zach Aston-Reese and Mikael Pyyhtia at risk of demotion, fighting for the final spot. My money’s on Danforth to stay in, but I’d especially watch ZAR in his efforts to stay in the top 12.

Jackets Notes

After their win Saturday over the Los Angeles Kings, the Jackets got two days off before two days of practice prior to tonight’s game. Nice to have a little half-break during this critical eight-in-nine stretch. … The Jackets have fallen out of the wildcard due to a games played tiebreaker. … Boone Jenner has fully returned to practice, and reports are that he’ll return as a center, uh, somehow. We have four centers playing really well, though Monahan is injured for the next six weeks or more. … Yegor Chinakhov had also returned to practice, but left yesterday’s early as a precaution. … Zach Werenski broke in his 4 Nations Faceoff gloves at practice.

The Other Bench

After leading the West for a while this season, the Golden Knights have fallen back a bit. They’ve gone 3-6-2 since January 9th. … Mark Stone got into some controversy after a collision with Miro Heiskanen Tuesday. Vegas fans are pointing out that Stone was tripped by another Star right before. Everyone else is saying Stone dove intentionally. I think it was pretty obviously an accident, but that’s hockey twitter for ya. … Alex Pietrangelo became the first player to withdraw from the 4 Nations Faceoff for non-injury reasons. Well, he cited an injury, but he’s still playing. … Tonight’s Asian American and Pacific Islander night in Vegas, cool to see that get its own game.

Season Series

1/20/2025 – CBJ at VGK
3/13/2025 – VGK at CBJ

Stats

VegasColumbus
3.39 (4)GPG3.30 (7)
2.76 (9)GAPG3.34 (27)
28.3% (3)PP%22.6% (12)
78.2% (19)PK%74.8% (26)
50.7% (12)5v5 Shot Attempt %47.8% (28)
51.1% (9)5v5 Unblocked Shot Attempt %28.5% (22)
9.0% (11)5v5 Shooting %10.0% (3)
.908 (20)5v5 Save %.906 (23)
Pavel Dorofeyev, 22G LeaderKirill Marchenko, 20
Jack Eichel, 48A LeaderZach Werenski, 38
Jack Eichel, 64P LeaderZach Werenski, 54
Nicolas Roy, 37PIM LeaderMatthieu Olivier, 90
19-6-2Home/Road7-14-4
3-5-2Last 107-2-1

Projected Lineups

Columbus Blue Jackets

Dmitri VoronkovAdam FantilliKirill Marchenko
James van RiemsdykCole SillingerKent Johnson
Zach Aston-ReeseLuca Del Bel BelluzMattieu Olivier
Mikael PyyhtiaSean KuralyJustin Danforth
Zach WerenskiDante Fabbro
Denton MateychukIvan Provorov
Jake ChristiansenDamon Severson
Elvis Merzlikins
Daniil Tarasov

Vegas Golden Knights

Ivan BarbashevJack EichelMark Stone
Victor OlofssonTomas HertlPavel Dorofeyev
Tanner PearsonNicolas RoyKeegan Kolesar
Jonas RondbjergBrett HowdenRaphael Lavoie
Noah HanifinAlex Pietrangelo
Brayden McNabbShea Theodore
Nicolas HagueZach Whitecloud
Ilya Samsonov
Adin Hill

Talking Points