Gameday Guide: March 11 vs. Minnesota

It seems that anything that could go wrong did go wrong for the Blue Jackets on Long Island.
Not only did Columbus drop a 6-0 decision to the Islanders in a game that got away Thursday night, there was an issue with the team plane that caused the team to have to stay in New York an extra night rather than fly back immediately after.

So the gameday routine was thrown a little askew, but the Blue Jackets did return to Columbus in plenty of time to be ready for
tonight's game against Minnesota at Nationwide Arena
. And with a bad taste in the team's mouth after they essentially gifted last night's contest to the Islanders, it might be good to get right back on the ice for the Jackets.
"We have to reset and refocus here," captain Boone Jenner said.
And a reminder - with Columbus City Council's announcement Monday that the city mask mandate for indoor spaces had been lifted, masks are no longer required for Blue Jackets games at Nationwide Arena. Fans are welcome to continue wearing them if they so desire.

3 Keys to the Game

Find some energy: Both teams played last night, so the one to have more jump in its legs will likely be the one that wins. Somehow, Columbus has to be that team.
Play some defense: Minnesota has given up 4.67 goals per game in its last 12, while Columbus has allowed 4.00 in its last 12. It might be a shootout, but any defense could go a long way.
Handle Kaprizov: It's easier said than done, but Columbus will get its first look at the Calder Trophy winner from last year who is one of the top scorers in the league. Keeping him off the board will be key.

Notable

Columbus was shut out for the fifth time this season last night on Long Island. … Patrik Laine has a 16-11-27 line in the last 18 contests, plus 10 multipoint games in that span. His seven game-winning goals are tied for fourth in the NHL. … With an assist Monday vs. Toronto, Zach Werenski broke a tie with Seth Jones for the most points by a defenseman in team history. He now has a career 74-150-224 line, plus 10 points (3-7-10) in the last 10 games. … Oliver Bjorkstrand has eight goals in the past 14 games. … CBJ captain Boone Jenner has a team-best 23 goals on the season and boasts an 11-13-24 line in the last 26 games. ... Gustav Nyquist has four shorthanded goals on the season, tied for first in the NHL with Florida's Aleksandar Barkov and Anaheim's Isac Lundestrom. … Max Domi is one goal from 100 in his career. ... Jakub Voracek's 30 primary assists are tied for fourth in the NHL. … The Blue Jackets have trailed in 18 of their 28 wins this year and have seven wins when trailing after two periods, the most in the NHL and the second most in franchise history. ... The teams have not met since the 2019-20 season, with Minnesota winning both games in a four-day span of February. Columbus has lost three in a row against the Wild and has not beaten the team since a 4-2 victory on Nov. 29, 2018. ... Just seven members of the CBJ lineup from the last matchup Feb. 28, 2020, will play tonight for the Jackets.

Projected Lineup

(Subject to change)
Gustav Nyquist - Boone Jenner - Patrik Laine
Jakub Voracek - Jack Roslovic - Oliver Bjorkstrand
Max Domi - Cole Sillinger - Emil Bemstrom
Eric Robinson - Sean Kuraly - Yegor Chinakhov
Zach Werenski - Andrew Peeke
Vladislav Gavrikov - Dean Kukan
Gavin Bayreuther - Jake Bean
Elvis Merzlikins (confirmed starter)
Joonas Korpisalo
Scratches: Justin Danforth (lower body, day to day), Brendan Gaunce, Gabriel Carlsson
Injured Reserve:Adam Boqvist (upper body, day to day); Daniil Tarasov (hip surgery; out for season); Alexandre Texier (fractured finger; out four weeks as of Jan. 27); Eric Robinson (knee; out six weeks as of Jan. 31)
Roster Report:Columbus will make three changes to the lineup, as Bemstrom goes in for Danforth after the latter left Thursday's game when he blocked a shot early in the contest. Bayreuther enters in place of Carlsson, while Merzlikins gets the start in net.

This Day in CBJ History

March 11, 2006: Rostislav Klesla scored at 4:06 of overtime to push the Blue Jackets to a 4-3 win over Edmonton in Nationwide Arena.
March 11, 2017: Jeff Rimer calls his 2,000th NHL game when the Blue Jackets play Buffalo.