Preview: Blue Jackets Visit Penguins

Columbus Blue Jackets at Pittsburgh Penguins
Friday, February 2, 2017 – 7:00 EST
PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
TV: Fox Sports Ohio; Radio: WBNS FM
Game Faceoff

These guys again.

The Blue Jackets head to Pittsburgh for their second meeting of the season with the Penguins. You’ll recall that, during the first matchup, the Penguins scored first before the Blue Jackets responded with seven unanswered goals, running the Penguins out of the building and making a statement that the Jackets were here to stay this season.

Now, when these teams match up for a second time, the Blue Jackets will look slightly different. They’re 5-5-0 in their last 10 (incidentally the same record Pittsburgh comes in with), and missing at least one of their defensemen. David Savard has been shelved indefinitely with back spasms, and we wish him the best of luck. Come back soon, because Jack Johnson misses you. Markus Nutivaara made the trip to Pittsburgh, but it is unclear if he will play with the team. The Penguins also come in shorthanded. Evgeni Malkin will miss some time, as will Conor Sheary.

There’s not much to say about this one. We know who the Penguins are, what to expect from this game. The Blue Jackets should be emotionally ready to go for this one, given the level of animosity between the two clubs. Anticipate a physical, tight affair with plenty of scrums around the net.

Expect to see Sergei Bobrovsky in net for the Blue Jackets tonight, as he will be recovered from the coast to coast flights for the All Star Game, and rested after having Tuesday night off.

Go Jackets. Let’s keep the post-break momentum rolling, and tighten up that defense.

Probable Lineups

Columbus Blue Jackets

Pittsburgh Penguins