Welcome to the final recreation in October for the Columbus Blue Jackets. They host the New York Islanders of their Halloween recreation on Wednesday evening at Nationwide Enviornment.
With a win, the Blue Jackets would end the month with a 5-3-1 report, one thing just about no one predicted. As for the Islanders, they enter Wednesday evening’s recreation scoring solely 22 objectives of their first 9 video games whereas profitable simply thrice. They’re coming off a 3-1 residence loss to the Anaheim Geese in a recreation which they dominated possibilities however had no end.
On this gameday version of Information & Rumors, we’ll present a few fast harm updates, some excellent news for as soon as. Then we’ll talk about a growing theme with one of many Blue Jackets’ rising stars.
Johnson Does Not Want Surgical procedure
The Blue Jackets received the very best information. Kent Johnson won’t want surgical procedure on his injured shoulder. It was the identical shoulder he had surgical procedure repaired final season.
To say getting that information was a giant sigh of reduction for Johnson and the Blue Jackets is a serious understatement. He’ll put within the obligatory work to heal after which come again in an inexpensive period of time.
The Blue Jackets don’t give particular timeframes as of late. With accidents like Johnson’s, it’s particularly arduous to pinpoint a timeline anyway. The truth that his locker stall continues to be within the room was a very good signal he received excellent news on his upcoming restoration. Erik Gudbranson and Boone Jenner every had surgical procedure. Their stalls will not be within the room.
Will probably be some time earlier than we see Johnson in a recreation. However given he and the staff averted the worst-case situation, it’s doable we may see him nearer to midseason than the top of the season. Given how he reacted when the harm occurred, that may be very constructive information for a participant who was off to a scorching begin.
Voronkov Getting Nearer
Some extra excellent news. Dmitri Voronkov continues to get nearer to recreation motion. The Blue Jackets initially acknowledged that he may return by the top of November. Whereas they haven’t offered a latest replace, his presence at practices and the elective morning skates is encouraging.
Whether or not Voronkov can beat the unique timeline continues to be to be decided. However from all indications watching him, he appears shut. It should now be a matter of how he feels after the practices.
Voronkov was noticed in a non-contact jersey at Tuesday’s observe. He then skated with the elective group on Wednesday. His eventual return would supply a giant increase, actually, to the lineup. As soon as he’s prepared, anticipate him to go someplace within the middle-six.
Fantilli Serving to Form Blue Jackets Tradition
Adam Fantilli had a very good evening Monday in opposition to the Edmonton Oilers. He scored a aim on an incredible feed by Cole Sillinger. He additionally setup the primary NHL aim of Mikael Pyyhtia.
In the event you noticed Fantilli’s postgame Monday, you noticed how comfortable he was for Pyyhtia getting his first. That is really a pattern not just for Fantilli, however for different gamers on the Blue Jackets as effectively, particularly Johnson and Sillinger. What’s that pattern?
“You always remember your first!” 🚨@Nationwide | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/SfedkOb5Ii
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) October 29, 2024
In case your teammate does one thing nice, be a part of them in celebration even should you didn’t do something particular within the recreation. Let me set the scene.
You Would possibly Additionally Like
Postgame Monday, I bumped into Johnson within the elevator. All he may discuss was simply how ecstatic he was for Fantilli and Sillinger every having nice video games. Sillinger was the sport’s second star with 1-2-3 on the evening.
Fantilli mentioned that that is one thing that he talked about with Johnson and Sillinger. Let him clarify.
“Me, Foolish and KJ went out to lunch and we talked about stuff like that a couple of days in the past,” Fantilli mentioned. “(We talked about) how huge it’s for us to need one another to have that sort of success. When KJ has a three-point evening and me and Foolish don’t have something, we’re nonetheless comfortable for KJ that he was in a position to go off like that. It solely helps our staff to have the younger guys begin to contribute extra. I believe being comfortable for one another is contagious and it actually helps the setting. It helps the tradition. Having KJ purchase into that’s nice.”
That is the Blue Jackets’ younger core taking the initiative to be there for one another it doesn’t matter what occurs good or unhealthy. In the event you wanted proof of a wholesome room, that is it.
Facet Dishes
- The Blue Jackets will play their first back-to-back of the season upcoming on Friday in opposition to the Winnipeg Jets after which Saturday in opposition to the Washington Capitals. Head coach Dean Evason mentioned right now there aren’t any excuses for back-to-backs. “In the event you can’t play 25 minutes two nights in a row as knowledgeable athlete, we’ve received a difficulty.”
- The Blue Jackets are center of the pack in pictures on aim and fourth in objectives per recreation. They should trip the new wave as a lot as doable earlier than issues cool off.
- The Blue Jackets will roll the identical lineup Wednesday evening with Elvis Merzlikins getting one other begin. Listed below are your anticipated traces and pairs.
- Yegor Chinakhov-Sean Monahan-Kirill Marchenko
- Cole Sillinger-Adam Fantilli-Mikael Pyyhtia
- Zach Aston Reese-Justin Danforth-Mathieu Olivier
- James van Riemsdyk-Sean Kuraly-Kevin Labanc
- Zach Werenski-Ivan Provorov
- Jake Christiansen-Damon Severson
- Jack Johnson-Jordan Harris
- Elvis Merzlikins/Daniil Tarasov
