The Columbus Blue Jackets are continuing their final home stand with the second game of four at the Nationwide Arena. This game will feature the second and final meeting of the season with the Colorado Avalanche.

The Avalanche and Blue Jackets met less than two weeks ago with the Avalanche taking the win at Ball Arena. This loaded up Avs team is poised to win their second cup in three years between the deadline load-up and hot seasons superstars Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen have been on.

Columbus is resting comfortably with a Top Five pick at the bottom of the draft lottery despite a successful celebratory performance Saturday against Pittsburgh, and for Jeff Rimer. The Jackets did sadly pick up a few nagging injuries and illnesses. Captain Boone Jenner and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins have both been ruled out against Colorado. Jenner picked up an undisclosed illness while Merzi has a lower body injury. As a result, the club has announced the return of Justin a Danforth back in the mix. To back up Daniil Tarasov tonight, the Jackets recalled Jet Greaves on an emergency basis.

This will be a very different look to the middle with Jenner out and Danforth back. Dmitri Voronkov slides to the top line, while Danforth is on the third line. Defense remains the same. They look to remain hot at home at they were 4-2-1 on March.

Projected Lineups

Jonathan Drouin -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Mikko Rantanen

Brandon Duhaime -- Casey Mittelstadt -- Artturi Lehkonen

Miles Wood -- Ross Colton -- Zach Parise

Andrew Cogliano -- Yakov Trenin -- Jean-Luc Foudy

Devon Toews -- Cale Makar

Samuel Girard -- Josh Manson

Jack Johnson -- Sean Walker

Justus Annunen

Alexandar Georgiev

Scratched: Caleb Jones, Joel Kiviranta

Injured: Valeri Nichushkin (lower body)

Columbus Blue Jackets

Johnny Gaudreau -- Dmitry Voronkov -- Alex Nylander

Alexandre Texier -- Cole Sillinger -- Kirill Marchenko

Janes Malatesta -- Justin Danforth -- Trey Fix-Wolansky

Mathieu Olivier -- Brendan Gaunce -- Carson Meyer

Damon Severson -- Zach Werenski

Jake Bean -- Ivan Provorov

Jake Christiansen -- Erik Gudbranson

Daniil Tarasov

Jet Greaves

Scratched: none

Injured: Adam Fantilli (calf), Patrik Laine (upper body), Sean Kuraly (lower body), Yegor Chinakhov (upper body), Adam Boqvist (upper body), Elvis Merzlikins (lower body), Boone Jenner (illness)

Players to Watch

Colorado — Cale Makar — could win the Norris. Has been a stud with Hughes and Josi/Hedman in running all year.

Columbus — Justin Danforth — returns to the lineup

Predicted Final Score

COL - 4

CBJ - 3

What’s Next?

Isles and Flyers. Back to shake up the Metro.

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