GDT: Game 49 - CBJ vs NJD - 18 Jan, 7pm, @Nat

[Viqsi]

Another four-pointer, although this time it's more of a "don't concede" rather than a climbing opportunity. Still, every little bit helps.

Projected lineup per bluejackets.com:

Projected Lineup
(Subject to change)

Gustav Nyquist - Pierre-Luc Dubois - Emil Bemstrom
Nathan Gerbe - Alexander Wennberg - Cam Atkinson
Eric Robinson - Riley Nash - Nick Foligno
Jakob Lilja - Boone Jenner - Kevin Stenlund.

Zach Werenski - Seth Jones
Vladislav Gavrikov - David Savard
Scott Harrington - Markus Nutivaara

Elvis Merzlikins
Matiss Kivlenieks

Scratches: Sonny Milano, Adam Clendening, Joonas Korpisalo (injury)

Roster Report: The Blue Jackets used the same lines in practice Friday as the third period of Thursday's game. Whether Milano enters the lineup remains to be seen, with Tortorella speaking to the media pregame rather than in the morning.

devils.nhl.com has their own preview article up, noting that this is apparently their last game before the break ( ):

The Devils have dropped each of their past two games after a pair of big wins last weekend. After defeating Washington (in Washington) and at home against Tampa Bay, who had won 10 straight heading into the game at Prudential Center, they had two really tough matchups against the Toronto Maple Leafs and a rematch in Washington.

On Tuesday, the Devils lost 7-4 to the Leafs. It was a game that they'd trailed 6-1 before narrowing the gap to 6-4 before ultimately losing after the Leafs added an empty-net goal. On Thursday, the Caps got their revenge with a 5-2 win. Blake Coleman had a hat trick on Tuesday and followed that up with a shorthanded goal Thursday.

Coleman leads the Devils with 18 goals and is tied for the NHL lead with three shorthanded markers on the season.

Scoresheet links (they'll work later tonight):
Game Summary - overall team info
Event Summary - player-specific info

Highlights of the Devils' last game:

Click to read more...

 

[Byrral]

NJ has a -42 goal differential. Only Detroit is worse. This is an absolute must win. No excuses.

 

[MoeBartoli]

Looking to keep it going.

 

[DarkandStormy]

FREE MILANO

 

[Doggy]

So wait..are we assuming Elvis is going to play all the way to the break?

 

[DarkandStormy]

So wait..are we assuming Elvis is going to play all the way to the break?

Yes. Why not? A back-to-back, two days off, a game, and then 9 days off.

 

[OscarsCards]

So wait..are we assuming Elvis is going to play all the way to the break?

Strange question. Korpisalo played 2 back to back games in Oct. and Dec. while Elvis was a backup and Elvis played one back to back game while Kivlenieks was a backup.

 

[NotWendell]

It's a trap game AND a must win all rolled into one!

 

[MAHJ71]

Plz don't have a let down

Plz don't have a let down

Plz don't have a let down

 

[Monstershockey]

So wait..are we assuming Elvis is going to play all the way to the break?

I would go as far as assuming he gets every game until Korpisalo gets back if they keep playing well. Barring extreme circumstances, he should get all the games, and when both goalies are healthy, whoever is playing better would get the nod. I am not one that thinks guys should lose their spots because of injury, but the stakes have changed and trying to get in the playoffs has become priority #1.

 

[koteka]

We play 15 games between Feb 1 and Feb 28 including 3 back-to-backs. Feb 7 and 8 (Detroit and Colorado, both at home) and Feb 13 and 14 (@ Buffalo and home against the Rangers) are when I would expect to see Kivlenieks or VV if Korpi isn’t back.

 

[Speedy Sanderson]

Need a quick start. Should be a SRO crowd, so get them going early.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Islanders were beating the Caps 4-1 entering the 3rd. No 3 point game.

Caps made it 4-2. (shoot, don't be a 3 point game)
Caps made it 4-3 (...it's going to happen)
Tie game (shit)
5-4 Caps (.....are you kidding me)
6-4 Caps, back to back hat tricks for Ovechkin. (no 3 point game!)

 

[db2011]

Blackout restrictions preventing me from watching tonight.

Unless I go to the bar...

 

[NotWendell]

 

[ViD]

The 3rd place in Metro becomes a possibility with Isles losing a lot lately

 

[NotWendell]

The 3rd place in Metro becomes a possibility with Isles losing a lot lately

That’s who we have to be chasing. Let Philly, Carolina and NYI sort out the WC spots by themselves.

 

[Long Live Lyle]

Islanders were beating the Caps 4-1 entering the 3rd. No 3 point game.

Caps made it 4-2. (shoot, don't be a 3 point game)
Caps made it 4-3 (...it's going to happen)
Tie game (****)
5-4 Caps (.....are you kidding me)
6-4 Caps, back to back hat tricks for Ovechkin. (no 3 point game!)

Honestly, I’d take a Caps OT win over an NYI regulation win in that game. We’re not catching the Caps. The Isles are in play.

ETA: In fact, I’d even take a NYI OT win over an NYI regulation win, given the tiebreaker this year. Of course, the Caps regulation win is the best result.

 

[CBJ goalie]

Yes. Why not? A back-to-back, two days off, a game, and then 9 days off.

He's a young'un, he's capable.
Especially when he's playing well, he wants to be in the net.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

no Milano again

 

[MoeBartoli]

Blackout restrictions preventing me from watching tonight.

Unless I go to the bar...

Always nice to have a built-in excuse to head to a bar.......

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Boone breaks his slump tonite and scores a big goal

 

[CBJ goalie]

Love to see those stats for Merzlikins, what a comeback from his first few games.
He's above .500 and has his GAA and save percentage in respectable range, even with those disasters.
Proud of ya, Elvis.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

I have an odd feeling that we’re going to come out flat and lose tonight. Hopefully I’m wrong

 

[ViD]

Well, I just learned something new, apparently the arena announcer actually says “Your Columbus Blue Jackets” and “Jackets on the PP” every time, I was pretty sure those signature phrases were pre recorded