Columbus Blue Jackets vs. St. Louis Blues
Wednesday, September 29, 2021, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
TV: BlueJackets.com; Radio: 97.1 FM and streaming on the Blue Jackets app
Opponent’s Blog: St. Louis Game Time
Columbus plays their third game in as many nights tonight against the St. Louis Blues. Columbus defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0 on Monday night in Pittsburgh and led the Buffalo Sabres 4-1 in the third period Tuesday night at Nationwide Arena before surrendering four straight goals and losing in shootout 5-4.
Jet Greaves gave up the final four goals after taking over for Elvis Merzlikins. Oliver Bjorkstrand scored twice while Tyler Angle had two assists. Jake Bean scored and had two assists, Vladislav Gavrikov had a goal and assist, and Eric Robinson, Jack Roslovic, and Kevin Stenlund each had one assist.
Player(s) To Watch
Jakub Voráček will be getting his first game action tonight and that means we might be getting a look at the Patrik Laine – Cole Sillinger – Voráček line! Very exciting to watch and a great opportunity for Sillinger to prove himself early. Regardless of who he’s lined up with.
Jackets Notes
I know it felt like typical Jackets to see them blow a 4-1 meaningless preseason game, and to the Sabres of all teams. But fortunately, it’s just preseason. Still, it’s a reminder of what’s sure to be a tough season in some respects and these types of things might happen. Hopefully not too often, with Elvis Merzlikins and Joonas Korpisalo in the net, and a new defensive unit in front looking to solidify themselves.
As of this morning here’s a look at the potential lines.
#CBJ lineup at a.m. skate:
Laine-Sillinger-Voracek
Hofmann-Jenner-Chinakhov
Foudy-Danforth-Bemstrom
Dunne-Gaunce-Mullin(Not 100% sure on Dunne or Gaunce at LW/C)
Werenski-Boqvist
Carlsson-Harrington
Kukan-SchemitschTarasov
Berube— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) September 29, 2021
#CBJ PP groups:
PP1
🥅
Jenner
Laine – Bemstrom – Voracek
Werenski
PP2
🥅
Hofmann
Sillinger – Danforth – Chinakhov
Boqvist
— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) September 29, 2021
The Other Bench
St. Louis coms in 2-0 on the preseason after a Saturday win, 6-2, over the Minnesota Wild and 2-1 over the Dallas Stars in overtime Monday. Similar to the Sabres and Jack Eichel offseason drama, there were rumblings of an unhappy Vladimir Tarasenko and just like the Eichel situation, Tarasenko was not traded but says he’s 100% ready to go with the Blues.
Vladimir Tarasenko is in training camp with the Blues, says he’s healthy and ready “to work 100 percent.” https://t.co/b7yqhBlVwn #stlblues
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) September 23, 2021
Tarasenko hasn’t played yet this preseason. Meanwhile, for the rest of the club, they were busy in the offseason adding a familiar face in Brandon Saad to a five-year $22.5 million deal, and agreeing to a four-year $32 million deal with Pavel Buchnevich after acquiring him as part of a trade with the New York Rangers.
Mike Hoffman left for the Montreal Canadiens ($13.5 million) and Jayden Schwartz signed with the Seattle Kraken for five years at $27.5 million. Vince Dunn was taken by the Kraken in the Expansion Draft and signed for two years, $8 million.
Jordan Binnington is the main guy between the pipes once again in 2021-22 and he’s coming off an ok year (18-14-8, .910 SV%, 2.65 GAA in regular season) with Ville Husso as his backup (9-6-1, .893, 3.21).
Lineups
Forwards
15 Gregory Hofmann
17 Justin Danforth
19 Liam Foudy
21 Josh Dunne
23 Brendan Gaunce
29 Patrik Laine
34 Cole Sillinger
38 Boone Jenner
52 Emil Bemstrom
59 Yegor Chinakhov
65 Tristan Mullin
93 Jakub Voráček
Defensemen
4 Scott Harrington
8 Zach Werenski
26 Thomas Schemitsch
27 Adam Boqvist
46 Dean Kukan
53 Gabriel Carlsson
Goaltenders
30 Jean-François Bérubé
40 Daniil Tarasov
Neal-Thomas-Kyrou
Barbashev-Brown-Frolik
McGing-Joshua-Kostin
Washkurak-Peca-LaferriereScandella-Parayko
Walman-Santini
Cross-WesleyHofer
Lindgren— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) September 29, 2021