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CBJ G15 @ Seattle Kraken — Must Win |
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The Columbus Blue Jackets are in must win mode for the final after dark game of the month. This is the first meeting of two between the Jackets and Seattle Kraken, with this being the only time at Climate Pledge Arena. Telecast begins at 10pm on FDSNOH, KONG, and KHN; with radio broadcast on 97.1 the Fan.
The Kraken are feeling the pressure of management to make moves, and splashes were indeed made over the summer.
Out
Dave Hakstol was ousted by the players before trade requests were made out of Seattle.
Chris Dreidger returned to Florida, where they let him originally he selected by the Kraken in expansion.
Connor Carrick joined Edmonton.
Kole Lind and Cameron Hughes headed to Dallas.
Andrew Poturalski and Jimmy Schuldt signed in San Jose.
Tomas Tatar signed back with New Jersey.
Marian Studenic, Peetro Seppala, and Mitch Renekie moved to Europe to further their careers
In
Chandler Stephenson signed a long term seven year deal reuniting with former Caps Andrew Burkavosky and Phillip Grubauer.
Brandon Montour and Josh Mahura both signed for money and term after winning the Stanley Cup in Florida.
Ben Meyers, Mitchell Stephens, and Brandon Biro signed as AHL depth; meanwhile, defenders Maxime Lajoie and Nikoulas Broulliard join the back end in Coachella Valley.
Dan Bylsma and Jessica Campbell were promoted after two Calder Cup final appearances. Bylsma last coached Buffalo in the show a while ago, but won the Cup with Pittsburgh in 2009. Campbell is the first female coach in league history.
Daniel Sprong was acquired via trade from Vancouver over the weekend for future considerations.
The captaincy returned to Seattle on the chest of Jordan Eberle.
Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets have not won a game on ice against any team since October 30. The Jackets cannot win on the road as their only win was against the ice cold Colorado Avalanche in front for Alex 4giev.
The Kraken have been getting significant production out of Jared McCann, as he has 17 points in 15 games. The other veterans have been quiet; but Joey Daccord has seized the goal-crease from Phillip Grubauer.
Getting better goaltending might be the downfall for the Jackets.
Keys to Victory
1. Goalie - the Jackets need the best goaltending possible, as they have ran into stronger efforts from the West than they might have thought.
2. Hunger - Werenski is not happy, and publicly stated they need to finish this trip correct.
3. Shake it Off - the losses this month have not been good, but this is a new game. Head up. Stick down. Feet moving boys.
Projected Lineups
Seattle Kraken
Jared McCann—Matthew Beniers—Jordan Eberle
Jaden Schwartz—Chandler Stephenson—Oliver Bjorkstrand
Eeli Tolvanen—Shane Wright—Andre Burkavosky
Tye Kartye—Yanni Gourde—Brandon Tanev
Ryker Evans—Adam Larsson
Jamie Oleskiak—Brandon Montour
Josh Mahura—Will Borgen
Joey Daccord
Ales Stezka
Scratched — none
Injured — Vince Dunn, Phillip Grubauer
Columbus Blue Jackets
Adam Fantilli—Sean Monahan—Kirill Marchenko
Dmitry Voronkov—Cole Sillinger—Yegor Chinakov
Mikael Pyyhita—Justin Danforth—Mathieu Olivier
James van Riemsdyk—Sean Kuraly—Zach Aston-Reese
Zach Werenski—Ivan Provorov
Jake Christiansen—Damon Severson
Jack Johnson—Dante Fabbro
Elvis Merzlikins
Daniil Tarasov
Scratched — Jordan Harris, Kevin Labanc, David Jiricek
Injured — Boone Jenner (shoulder), Erik Gudbranson (shoulder), Kent Johnson (upper-body), Gavin Brindley (finger)
Players to Watch
Seattle — Jared McCann — over a point per game is impressive, but what’s more impressive is on an under 0.500 team.
Columbus — Dante Fabbro — CBJ DEBUT!!!
Predicted Final Score
SEA — 2
CBJ — 4
Gambling Corner
Seattle is the heavy favorite against the Jackets. If you’re looking for an upset and extra cash, put it on Columbus.
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)
Support Hockeybuzz
https://www.facebook.com/HockeyBuzz
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Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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