Preview: Weathering the Storm

Carolina Hurricanes at Columbus Blue Jackets
Friday, November 10, 2017 (Taylor Swift album release day!) – 7:00 EST
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
TV: Fox Sports Ohio – Radio: WBNS FM
Game Faceoff

The Columbus Blue Jackets have struggled to notch points as of late, getting one out of a possible six in their previous three games. Tonight, they attempt to find their winning ways again as they host the Carolina Hurricanes in Nationwide Arena.

Carolina, expected to take a step forward this season, has struggled out of the gate. The team had lost four games in a row before taking down the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. The Carolina offense has struggled this season, scoring exactly one goal four separate times this season. If there were ever a game for the defense to lock down and put the clamps down on an opponent, a Friday night at home after a few days off would be the occasion.

It is folly at this point to attempt to project the actual lines the Blue Jackets will use, but one could assume (read: hope and pray) that the coaching staff would not jumble the lines AGAIN by dressing only eleven forwards and seven defensemen because that setup leads to chemistry mixups and coverage breakdowns like the ones that led to Nashville’s goals on Tuesday night. Expect Sergei Bobrovsky to get the start against a divisional opponent tonight.

The Blue Jackets have struggled to score goals, and their struggles on the power play have been noted time and again. Carolina has a bottom third penalty kill and has struggled to keep the puck out of their own net of late. Tonight is an opportunity to right the ship, bang in some goals, and head to Detroit on Saturday night with two points in hand.

Go Jackets. Get the win tonight.

Projected Lineups