Gameday Guide: March 29 vs. New York Islanders

In a hockey season that has been full of twists and turns, the latest to hit the Blue Jackets took place among the coaching staff this morning.

Assistant coach Steve McCarthy entered the NHL's COVID-19 protocol after experiencing symptoms, and a subsequent test for head coach Brad Larsen also revealed he would have to enter protocol as well.
That means the Blue Jackets will be without the two coaches starting tonight at Nationwide Arena against the New York Islanders. Associate head coach Pascal Vincent will lead the bench, with assistant coach Kenny McCudden running the forward group and assistant/development coach Jared Boll in charge of the defensive pairs.
Don't expect wholesale changes, though, for the Blue Jackets, as those leading the way trying to do as much as possible to keep things simple and consistent.
"We're not going to change all the systems, I can tell you that," Vincent said. "Very consistent. We've been all a part of it since day one. We know the systems, we're just going to keep the routine the same, the meetings at the same time. Everything is going to be as consistent as possible."
For Vincent, he has plenty of experience being in charge of a bench, having spent the past five seasons as the head coach of Winnipeg's AHL team as well as 11 seasons as a head coach in the QMJHL. McCudden and Boll might be the ones to have the biggest adjustments, but at the end of the day, hockey is hockey.
And after the past two seasons, adjusting on the fly has become old hat for the Jackets and everyone else in the NHL.
"Anyone that has been in the league the last two years has been through a lot of adversit with COVID and last-minute changes and postponements and cancellations," Sean Kuraly said. "I think it's something this group has become accustomed to, and I think we'll be fine moving forward."

3 Keys to the Game

Finish: The Blue Jackets had chances early in their recent loss to the Islanders but couldn't convert, then watched the game get away from them. This time, those have to go in against a staunch defensive team.
Shut it down: On the flip side, the Islanders are one of the lowest scoring teams in the NHL. Structure will be key to keep them on the outside.
Home cooking: There are just seven home games left on the season, and the Jackets have had some memorable nights in the barn this year. Why not add another?

Notable

With 117 goals at home, Columbus is tied for ninth in the NHL in that regard. … P Defenseman Andrew Peeke is set to play in his 100th career NHL game tonight. … Patrik Laine has a 19-15-34 line in the last 26 contests, plus 12 multipoint games in that span, while his seven game-winning goals are tied for eighth in the NHL. He is set to play in his 399th NHL game tonight. … Zach Werenski has points in 14 of the last 18 games (4-13-17). … Oliver Bjorkstrand has an 11-9-20 line in the last 22 games and a 3-6-9 line in the last eight. His 23rd goal of the year Friday in Winnipeg tied a career high. … Gustav Nyquist has a 3-6-9 line in the last 11 games and four shorthanded goals on the season, tied for first in the NHL. … Jakub Voracek's 43 assists are tied for the ninth most in franchise history. His 0.68 assists-per-game are the second most in a single season in franchise history, trailing only Artemi Panarin's .75 when he posted a club record 59 helpers in 2018-19. … The Blue Jackets have set a new franchise record this year with 21 come-from-behind wins, which is also tied for the second most in the NHL. Columbus also has eight wins when trailing after two periods, tied with Florida for the most in the NHL and the second most in franchise history. … With 36 goals from defensemen, the Blue Jackets are tied for third in the NHL in the statistic. … The teams have split the season series, with Columbus winning a 3-2 game in overtime in Nationwide Arena on Oct. 21, then falling 6-0 on Long Island on March 10.

Projected Lineup

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(Subject to change)
Jakub Voracek - Jack Roslovic - Patrik Laine
Gus Nyquist - Cole Sillinger - Oliver Bjorkstrand
Eric Robinson - Sean Kuraly - Justin Danforth
Yegor Chinakhov - Brendan Gaunce - Emil Bemstrom
Vladislav Gavrikov - Andrew Peeke
Dean Kukan - Jake Bean
Gabriel Carlsson - Adam Boqvist
Elvis Merzlikins (confirmed starter)
Jean-Francois Berube
Scratches: Gavin Bayreuther
Unavailable: Zach Werenski (upper body, day to day); Joonas Korpisalo (hip surgery, out for season); Boone Jenner (back, week to week); Daniil Tarasov (hip surgery, out for season); Alexandre Texier (indefinite leave of absence)
Roster Report: Werenski will be out after leaving Saturday's game as the result of a check in the first period. Boqvist returns to the lineup, while Merzlikins will get the start in net again.

This Day in CBJ History

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March 29, 2000: The team announces the formation of the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation, a grant-making public charity that will orchestrate the team's community development and fund-raising programs.
March 29, 2003: Geoff Sanderson nets the first - and to this point, only - four-goal game in a 6-4 victory at Calgary. Sanderson also adds an assist while Andrew Cassels posts a 1-4-5 line as the two also set a franchise record for points in a game.
March 29, 2012: Beset by injuries in net, the Blue Jackets sign former University of Michigan goaltender Shawn Hunwick to a contract.
March 29, 2014: Ryan Johansen's overtime, power-play goal gave Columbus a 3-2 win at Carolina that pushed the team closer to the second playoff berth in franchise history.
March 29, 2016: 2015 first-round draft pick Zach Werenski signs a three-year entry-level deal with the Blue Jackets.
March 29, 2018: Rookie forward Pierre-Luc Dubois notches the team's fourth hat trick of the month and second in as many games in a 5-1 win at Calgary. The win was the sixth straight road victory for Columbus and 12th win in 13 games. Head coach John Tortorella won his 128th game, moving him past Todd Richards into first on the club's all-time list.