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CBJ G13 @ Los Angeles Kings — After Dark Back to Back |
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The Columbus Blue Jackets return to the after dark hours this evening with a Pacific Division matchup with the Los Angeles Kings. Puckdrop is at 9pm EST from FDSNOH and KCAL.
This is the only meeting at Crypto.com Arena for the Jackets. The Kings made some questionable moves this summer that have so far paid off.
Out
Former Columbus first rounder Pierre-Luc Dubois was flipped by the Kings one year after being acquired to the Washington Capitals. Defender Matt Roy also joined PLD on a long term seven year deal with the Caps.
Veteran Victor Arvidsson headed to the Western Conference Champion Edmonton Oilers in free agency.
Forward Carl Grundstrom was dealt to the San Jose Sharks in a rare divisional trade.
Forward Blake Lizotte joined the Pittsburgh Penguins via free agency.
Goalie Cam Talbot inked a deal with the Detroit Red Wings in free agency.
Defender Steve Santini signed with Tampa Bay in free agency.
Former Blue Jackets’ defender Kevin Connauton, part of the Provorov deal, joined the relocation Utah HC.
Forward Hayden Hodgson, the young forward from the Provorov deal, signed with Ottawa.
Former Blue Jackets’ draft pick TJ Tynan signed back with Colorado on a two way deal.
In
Goalie Darcy Kuemper returns to LA for PLD; this is the veteran goalies second stint with the Kings.
Kyle Burroughs was the return for Grundstrom.
Winger Tanner Jeannot was acquired via trade from Tampa Bay.
Winger Warren Foegle signed as a free agent after nearly winning the cup with Edmonton.
Center Jack Studnicka signed on after a year in the tank.
Defender Caleb Jones signed on a one year deal.
Blue liner Joel Edmundson signed a short term four year deal with the Kings to rejoin Bergevin.
For AHL depth, forwards Jeff Mallot and Glen Gladwin; and defender Reilly Walsh joined Los Angeles on two way deals.
Preview
The Kings are coming into tonight battered and bruised as their top defenseman Drew Doughty and Arthur Kaliyev have yet to play a game this season. Tanner Jeannot, will serve the first of his three-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser during a 4-2 loss Thursday. Mikey Anderson is expected to play despite being cut when he was hit in the face by a shot from Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek Thursday. Alex Turcotte, a forward, was placed on injured reserve Saturday. Samuel Helenius will make his NHL debut.
A loss for tonight will bring the Kings to in the middle of the pack with the other divisional teams; a win keeps them neck and neck with Vegas.
A loss for Columbus will sink them in with the Flyers near the basement of the league due to lack of games played by the Jackets. A win tonight will get them back to the second wild card conversation.
The Jackets have had four days of rest while in California. Much needed time away and bonding for the guys on the road swing. The Blue Jackets are also on a three game losing skid, having not won since October 30th.
They need to get back on the winning track fast before this becomes a bender. JvR is out for ZAR.
Elvis is in the crease against Big Save Dave.
Keys to Victory
1. Fresh Legs — Columbus has not played in four days. This should be an advantage for them.
2. 200 foot game — The Kings have complete two way forwards in Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault. Needing to play in every zone will matter.
3. Shuffling Deck Chairs — while the Kings are adjusting their lineup with injury and suspension, the Jackets have the chance to capitalize on new players to current systems.
Projected Lineups
Los Angeles Kings
Kevin Fiala -- Anze Kopitar -- Adrian Kempe
Trevor Moore -- Phillip Danault -- Akil Thomas
Warren Foegele -- Quinton Byfield -- Alex Laferriere
Andre Lee -- Trevor Lewis -- Samuel Helenius
Mikey Anderson -- Vladislav Gavrikov
Joel Edmundson -- Brandt Clarke
Andreas Englund -- Jordan Spence
David Rittich
Darcy Kuemper
Scratched: Kyle Burroughs, Caleb Jones
Injured: Alex Turcotte (upper body), Drew Doughty (ankle), Arthur Kaliyev (clavicle)
Suspended: Tanner Jeannot
Columbus Blue Jackets
Yegor Chinakhov -- Sean Monahan -- Kirill Marchenko
Cole Sillinger -- Adam Fantilli -- Mikael Pyyhtia
Dmitri Voronkov -- Justin Danforth -- Mathieu Olivier
Zach Aston-Reese -- Sean Kuraly -- Kevin Labanc
Zach Werenski -- Ivan Provorov
Jake Christiansen -- Damon Severson
Jack Johnson -- David Jiricek
Elvis Merzlikins
Daniil Tarasov
Scratched: James van Riemsdyk, Jordan Harris
Injured: Boone Jenner (upper body), Gavin Brindley (finger), Erik Gudbranson (upper body), Kent Johnson (upper body)
Players to Watch
Los Angeles — Anze Kopitar — the Slovenian captain is a point per game player for the Kings this season. The full package and certified future hockey hall of Famer.
Columbus — Ivan Provorov — Kings legend. They are paying 30% of his deal. The rental has yet to score a goal this season.
Predicted Final Score
LAK — 4
CBJ — 3
Overtime
Gambling Corner
Los Angeles is the heavy favorite at -218. Columbus is +180. If you want money tonight, pick the Jackets to get you coin.
Weekend Note
With the Jackets doing back to back games with the Kings and Ducks, recap for both will be Monday.
More to come…
Obituaries
https://www.danjolell.com/obituary/john-michael-gaudreau/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYM9fikwQbNkPlcwmTBaP2udJZw1oMBCmyXjp-GyttBpDhIoWnqY8lxQSQ_aem_zW3gpaArqsSO7D5ZI-Pdog
https://www.danjolell.com/obituary/matthew-ryan-gaudreau/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZ33XNOJYMaSDfXxs3NcH7AY99EWfo9ObneKgMrpds4HwrC3U6Gkj0igr0_aem_qqWUcGWcBFf0sebC0an4RQ
Want to support the Gaudreau family? Here’s several ways how:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-madeline-and-baby-tripp-after-tragedy - Donate to Gaudreau Family Fund. At the time of writing it is at $691K
https://youtu.be/7ax8zyd8nk0?si=xoI63iohdyn2vVvD - View Johnny B Goode Tribute - personal touch. Loved this slowed down clip by the voice of Calgary. Skip to the 25 second mark.
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/giving - Nationwide Children's Hospital (Johnny's widow, Meredith's workplace) support the children today.
https://foundation.ohiohealth.com/ - Ohio Health Foundation (where donations from a joint mental health charity drive from Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine went) Johnny joined the mission after Laine attended the NHLPA assistance club last season
https://www.childrenshospital.ab.ca/ways-to-help/donate/ - Alberta Children's Hospital for those in need and touched by the loss
https://kidsportcanada.ca/donate/ - Donate to the Youth Sporting Charity in Canada (Johnny Gaudreau donated for money each goal he scored to the Calgary chapter)
https://sniderhockey.org/support-snider/ - the Philadelphia Youth Hockey Charity (where Johnny and Matthew are from and started their youth hockey)
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