GDT: Game 52 - CBJ @ BUF - 1 Feb, 1pm

[Viqsi]

Welcome back! We return from the break with an afternoon matchup against a team that is on-paper amazing and on-ice depressing. Which is probably why it looks like Kivy is starting.

Notes and projected lineup per bluejackets.com:

Of Note
The Blue Jackets are riding a season-high six-game win streak. … Columbus joins Tampa Bay, Florida and Edmonton as the only teams to earn points in eight of the last 10 games. … Atkinson has eight goals in his last 12 games, while Bjorkstrand has nine in his last six including a four two-goal games. … Vladislav Gavrikov is plus-18 since Dec. 5, best in the NHL, while Pierre-Luc Dubois is plus-14 in that span with 20 points in 24 games. … Alexander Wennberg is one point from 200 in his CBJ career, while Atkinson is two goals from the 200 mark. … Columbus won the first matchup between the teams on Oct. 7, a 4-3 overtime victory for the Blue Jackets. Bjorkstrand, Atkinson and Nick Foligno scored before Alexandre Texier won the game in overtime. It was just the Jackets' third game of the season.

Projected Lineup
(Subject to change)

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

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

Matiss Kivlenieks
Elvis Merzlikins

Scratches: Sonny Milano, Joonas Korpisalo (injury)

Roster Report: The Blue Jackets have not made any roster moves since the end of the first half, but Josh Anderson - out since Dec. 14 with an upper-body injury - did travel with the team after returning to practice Thursday. Kivlenieks was the first goalie off the ice after Friday's practice and could get the start.

sabres.nhl.com has a preview article with Buffalo's Friday practice lineup, which may be what we're facing:

Forwards:
13 Jimmy Vesey - 9 Jack Eichel - 23 Sam Reinhart
53 Jeff Skinner - 90 Marcus Johansson - 67 Michael Frolik
28 Zemgus Girgensons - 22 Johan Larsson - 43 Conor Sheary
71 Evan Rodrigues - 27 Curtis Lazar - 15 Jean-Sebastien Dea

Defensemen: 10 Henri Jokiharju, 19 Jake McCabe, 24 Lawrence Pilut, 26 Rasmus Dahlin, 33 Colin Miller, 55 Rasmus Ristolainen

Goalies:
40 Carter Hutton
34 Jonas Johansson

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

Highlights of the Sabres' last game:

Click to read more...

 

[Viqsi]

Side note: I'm going to miss most of this one due to a celebration of my mother's 60th and my niece's 14th birthdays; I didn't notice the time conflict until it was too late. So, play nice.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

We needed this. And by we, I mean the forum. And by this, I mean a new place to talk about the same stuff.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Also, Peeke just recalled. Wonder what that’s about.

 

[CBJ goalie]

All I can say is:

It feels like it's been:

 

[pled]

I hope kiv is starting, I wanna see elvis tomorrow

 

[Madifer]

They cant afford to lose this game.

Go Jackets.

Ps. Holy shit that break was long!

 

[Finner]

Ugh! Saturday 8pm and Jackets are playing. This is what i have been waiting for. Theres some magic to wake up 2am but finally i dont have to. If Kiv starts im little scared what it can bring. He was great in his debut but one game is just one game. Rest 30games and we cant lose any game for team thats under us. Hopefully tonight BJ's have energy and they can keep the momentun what was before the break! Sauna is ready, beers are ready, im ready. Lets go!

 

[MAHJ71]

Feels like its been a month since the last game... hopefully we don't play like it

Lets do this!

 

[DarkandStormy]

Also, Peeke just recalled. Wonder what that’s about.

7th D? Where is Clendening?

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

Ugh! Saturday 8pm and Jackets are playing. This is what i have been waiting for. Theres some magic to wake up 2am but finally i dont have to. If Kiv starts im little scared what it can bring. He was great in his debut but one game is just one game. Rest 30games and we cant lose any game for team thats under us. Hopefully tonight BJ's have energy and they can keep the momentun what was before the break! Sauna is ready, beers are ready, im ready. Lets go!

He did play twice in Cleveland during the break. Once in a 5-2 win and then again the next day in relief of VV after he got pulled. He was definitely the better goaltender during that stretch as VV has not played well recently.

 

[EspenK]

If Kiv is going to be the backup for the near future then he better play lights out or it will begin to dim the lights on the Jackets' playoff chances. 15 games in the month of February (at least there is an extra day this year) will put a strain on Elvis if doesn't get enough rest. Hopefully Korpi is back soon.

 

[Monstershockey]

Kiv has improved quite a bit this year, and I am hoping the win in New York made him more confident. Hoping for another win today.

 

[MoeBartoli]

Hoping we play hungry and not rusty.

 

[Monstershockey]

7th D? Where is Clendening?

Clendenning is still here. I would much rather see Peeke go up.

 

[OscarsCards]

Just turned on the stream and saw Kivlenieks, f***ing sweet.

I just wanted to wish the endless torment for Sabres tonight, so huge torment that they just give up and retire their careers and defunct the team.

 

[Madifer]

My mind is tense and uneasy about this. A couple of early goals could change it though

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

If Kiv is going to be the backup for the near future then he better play lights out or it will begin to dim the lights on the Jackets' playoff chances. 15 games in the month of February (at least there is an extra day this year) will put a strain on Elvis if doesn't get enough rest. Hopefully Korpi is back soon.

Korpisalo is on the trip but hasn't practiced with the team yet. I'm still thinking mid February is on track at 6 weeks.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Go us. Good to be back.

not feeling great about this one. Buffalo is warmed up and has been playing since the break. They’re angry about their results. We have Matiss in net and we’re rusty. Hope to be wrong

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Nice touch for Kobe

 

[ViD]

Another 1 PM game that I won’t be able to follow closely.
Go CBJ

 

[MoeBartoli]

Free puck but couldn’t corral it.

 

[Finner]

Gavrikov playing "freeze" in offence zone

 

[BalticWarrior]

Sloppy, lazy play on both sides

 

[KJ Dangler]

What is the deal with playing Wennberg on left wall and Bemstrom in the middle where he can’t use his shot . Just dumb