Jackets seeking consistency, starting in Boston

After alternating wins and losses in their last four games, the Columbus Blue Jackets take on the Boston Bruins Monday night from TD Garden.

Start a New Streak

The Jackets come off a 2-1 Saturday night loss in Carolina against the Hurricanes, while the Bruins dropped their game with the Rangers 3-2 in overtime. They have dropped two-straight. As Columbus enters in third place, and just two points back of first place New Jersey, they are just six points above the basement of the division.

Such is life in the crowded Metropolitan Division.

Boston is in third in the Atlantic and has been getting huge contributions from leading scorer David Pastrnak (30 P, 15 G, 15 A). Ryan Spooner returned to action against the Rangers, and has only played 11 games due to a groin injury suffered in October.

Tuukka Rask has been the undisputed No. 1 netminder in Boston the last several years, but this season has also seen the emergence of Anton Khudobin (7-2-2, 2.67, .915%), who stepped up in the early portion of the season. Rask has assumed most of the time in net as of late.

Burning up I-71

Sonny Milano has been recalled, along with defenseman Cameron Gaunce. Gaunce has played 32 games in the NHL, split up between the Avalanche, Stars, and Penguins among the three previous seasons. He has not played in the NHL this season.

In the corresponding move, Jordan Schroeder, and Gabriel Carlsson were sent to Cleveland.

The first goal of the game will be important. Boston has allowed the first marker each of the last three games (1-1-1) and is 5-10 when they do. When they score first, Boston is 10-1-3. Both teams are in the top 10 in shot attempts percentage and are very similar in shooting plus save percentage.

Curious to look at Wennberg’s numbers. Glaring stat: his shots/60 at 5v5 is 4.49. There are 20 #CBJ players with a higher rate. Love what he brings to the table, but still very low shots number.

— Mark Scheig (@markscheig) December 18, 2017

As Alexander Wennberg looks to get going offensively, he has three points in his last two.

Tonight could be a prime opportunity for Joonas Korpisalo to get back in the net, though it sounds as if Sergei Bobrovsky makes his eighth-straight start. Over his previous seven, he is 3-4, with a 3.33 goals-against average, and .886 save percentage.

Based on this, Bobrovsky starts. Milano in for Motte. Same D. We’ll see. #CBJ https://t.co/AP1rt93OPG

— Mark Scheig (@markscheig) December 18, 2017

Today’s morning skaters for #CBJ … Korpisalo, Motte and Gaunce.

— Brian Hedger (@JacketsInsider) December 18, 2017

Faceoff
Blue Jackets-Bruins Game Notes

Projected Lineups