Preview: It’s “Bean” Such A Long Time

Monday, March 19, 2018 – 7:00 EST
TD GAAAAAHDEN, Boston, Massachusetts
TV: Fox Sports Ohio; Radio: 97.1 WBNS FM
Opponent’s Blog: Stanley Cup of Chowder

Tonight the Columbus Blue Jackets hit the road for the first leg of an East Coast back-to-back, with a win streak on the line. Standing in the way of 8 in a row is the host Boston Bruins. Like the Jackets, the Bs have also won 8 of their last 10.

The Bruins have managed to stay in second position in the East despite suffering injuries to key players. Their entire top defensive pair is out: veteran captain Zdeno Chara and rookie standout Charlie McAvoy. On the forward side, Patrice Bergeron has been out since late February with a broken foot, and his replacement at center, David Backes, left Satuday’s game with a laceration above his knee. What effect will that have on his linemates Brad Marchand (30/43/73) and David Pastrnak (28/41/69)?

There are several new faces in Boston since the last visit there in December. Prior to the deadline, they completed a blockbuster trade to acquire our old friend Rick Nash (3/3/6 in 11 games). After the Olympics, they signed veteran free agent and Team USA captain Brian Gionta (2/4/6 in 9 games). Speaking of Team USA, if you watched the Olympic hockey tournament you would have noticed Harvard forward Ryan Donato. His college season has ended, so the 2014 second round pick signed his ELC yesterday. Rather than go to the AHL, he has been added to the NHL roster and is expected to be in the lineup tonight. Our colleagues at Stanley Cup of Chowder have made some guesses as to where he fits.

On the Jackets side, this game will be another test in their win streak, which has seen them defeat other playoff contenders such as San Jose, Vegas, Colorado, and Philadelphia. The last time they faced Boston, they lost by a score of 7-2, the second time they did so in a span of a week in December. Thankfully the team has played much better in March than in December (and January and February).

Sadly, they will once again be without Norris Trophy contender Seth Jones. He sat out Saturday’s game with a lingering upper body injury, but traveled with the team and is still considered “day to day.”

Joonas Korpisalo will start in net.

Projected Lineups