The Columbus Blue Jackets return to home ice to face the current front runner for the 2025 President's Trophy in Sean Monahan's former club -- the Winnipeg Jets. This is the only meeting of the clubs in Nationwide Arena. The next game between the clubs is December 8.
 
The Winnpeg Jets were considered the frauds by some analysts in last season's playoffs, and were still bounced in round one by the Colorado Avalanche despite the Jets' frustration.
 
Winnipeg's coach Rick Bowness retired from coaching, and they promoted Scott Arniel in his place. The Jets had a summer full of depatures.
 
Out
 
D Artemi Kniazev went from being a loan after a trade chip from San Jose to KHL bound.
 
F Tyler Toffoli signed a big money deal with San Jose.
 
G Laurent Brossoit signed his big money deal with Chicago.
 
F Sean Monahan is now the top center in Columbus.
 
D Brenden Dillon joined the New Jersey Devils.
 
D Kyle Capobianco singed with Dallas.
 
F Jeffery Viel signed with Boston.
 
F Jeff Malott signed with Los Angeles.
 
G Kappo Kahkonen was signed by Winnipeg in the offseason, but was claimed off of waivers by the Colorado Avalanche after their goaltending's rough start to the season.
 
G Collin Delia signed as goalie depth with Edmonton.
 
D Nate Schmidt was bought out by Winnipeg and signed as a free agent with Florida for a Paul Maurice reunion.
 
F Rutger McGroarty asked to be traded out of Winnipeg, and his request was honored with a trade to Pittsburgh.
 
G Oskari Salminen signed with the Finnish league.
 
In
 
G Eric Comrie returned once again to Winnipeg.
 
F Jaret Anderson-Dolan signed a two year, two way contract to join some of his friends from Los Angeles.
 
D Haydn Fleury signed as a free agent.
 
F Mason Shaw signed as a free agent.
 
D Dylan Coghlan was acquired via trade from the Carolina Hurricanes for future considerations.
 
F Brayden Yager was acquired via trade from Pittsburgh in the McGroarty return. What a grab for Winnipeg.
 
Columbus is in their final game of this three game home stand before their west coast trip. Columbus faces their first back to back games of the season with Winnipeg tonight followed by a flight to D.C. against the Washington Capitals.
 
This is the Jackets first back to back of the season and for the month of November. They also have November 15 and 16 for Pittsburgh at home and Montreal on the road. This is Columbus' schedule for the month of November
 
November Schedule
 
Nov. 1 v Winnipeg Jets
 
5 Game Road Trip including California
Nov. 2 @ Washington Capitals
Nov. 5 @ San Jose Sharks
Nov. 9 @ Los Angeles Kings
Nov. 10 @ Anaheim Ducks
Nov. 12 @ Pittsburgh Penguins
 
Back-to-Back with Travel
Nov. 15 v Pittsburgh Penguins
Nov. 16 @ Montreal Canadiens
 
Nov. 18 @ Boston Bruins
 
Four Game Thanksgiving Homestand
 
Nov. 21 v Tampa Bay Lightning
Nov. 23 v Carolina Hurricanes
Nov. 27 v Montreal Canadiens
Nov. 29 v Calgary Flames (might be the next big Johnny Hockey honor night)
 
Preview
 
The Winnipeg Jets are red hot to start the season. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is showing he is on pace to be the American starting goaltender for the Four Nations tournament. Winnipeg is the best power play with a 44.8% on the power play and have averaged 4.6 gfP60. They also have allowed the fourth lowest amount of goals in a game at 2.4 gaP60.
 
The biggest strategy for either team is keep the puck out of the next. Both have strong goaltending starts for the 2024-2025 campaign.

Dmitry Voronkov is making his season debut for the Blue Jackets. The Top 5 Calder Finalist for 2024-2025 in the league is back and starting with the veterans Sean Kuraly and James van Riemsdyk; Kevin Labanc is the odd man out sadly.
 
Keys to Victory
 
1. Kyle Connor Hellebuyck - Kyle Connor and Connor Hellebuyck have been the driving forces behind the Winnipeg Jets' strong start for their 9-1-0 season thus far. Shutting them down will be key to any success tonight before the road trip.
 
2. Disciplined Play Required - by playing the best, you cannot give up any advantages. With the Jets being the most offensive team in the league, the Jackets cannot afford to be on the penalty kill or allow any mistakes even strength.
 
3. Back-to-Back Matchups - Columbus has their first calendar full this month as November starts with 2 games in 2 days with travel from Ohio to the nation's capital days before the election. Safety and load management will be key for the staff.
 
Projected Lineups
 
Winnipeg Jets
 
Kyle Connor--Mark Scheifele--Gabriel Vilardi
Cole Perfetti--Vladislav Namestinkov--Nikolaj Ehlers
Nino Niederreiter--Adam Lowry--Mason Appleton
Morgan Barron--Rasmus Kapuri--Alex Iafallo
 
Josh Morrissey--Dylan DeMelo
Dylan Samberg--Neal Pionk
Logan Stanley--Colin Miller
 
Connor Hellebuyck
Eric Comrie
 
Scratched: David Gustafsson, Haydn Fleury, Dylan Coghlan
 
Injured: Ville Heinola, Jaret Anderson-Dolan
 
Columbus Blue Jackets
 
Cole Sillinger -- Sean Monahan -- Kirill Marchenko
 
Mikael Pyyhtia -- Adam Fantilli -- Yegor Chinakhov
 
Zach Aston-Reese -- Justin Danforth -- Mathieu Olivier
 
James van Riemsdyk -- Sean Kuraly – Dmitri Voronkov
 
Zach Werenski -- Ivan Provorov
 
Jake Christiansen -- Damon Severson
 
Jack Johnson -- Jordan Harris
 
Elvis Merzlikins
 
Daniil Tarasov
 
Scratched: David Jiricek, Kevin Labanc
 
Injured: Boone Jenner (upper body), Gavin Brindley (finger), Erik Gudbranson (upper body), Kent Johnson (upper body)
 
Players to Watch
 
Winnipeg -- Kyle Connor -- 12 points in his previous 5 games, including 5 goals and 7 assists in this stretch. Hottest start since Ilya Kovalchuck.
 
Columbus -- Dmitry Voronkov -- the young Russian sophomore is back for the Blue Jackets this evening and gets the chance on the bottom six with the veterans. Great sign for the health of the Jackets.
 
Predicted Final Score
 
WPG - 3
 
CBJ - 2
 
OT/SO

Join the Discussion: » 5 Comments » Post New Comment

» Christmas Catchup

» Zach Werenski for Norris Trophy

» Biggest Road Game of the Season

» Deeper Dive - Daivd Jiricek Trade Tree

» Jiricek to Wild