"We've said it all along -- and I've been here a long time -- we have tremendous fans," Larsen said. "They've come out all year. They're a big boost to our group. They're always boisterous. This is such an underrated rink. It's a shame they don't get enough credit for what they do for our group. I'd expect them to enjoy this last game here at home."
Columbus is 20-15-5 this year in Nationwide in a season that started with an incredible 8-2 victory at home against Arizona and went on to include a fair share of comeback wins, late tying goals and overtime winners.
The Blue Jackets have averaged 16,187 fans per game this season, a mark that left Nationwide Arena at 89.2 percent capacity despite having a team with a ton of new faces this year.
"It's definitely exciting," Peeke said of the final home game. "The fans are awesome here. What they've shown night in and night out in this building, we don't take that for granted. We know what they bring to the table and how much that helps us throughout the season. It would be awesome tonight to get a win for them."
Coming off a 4-1 loss at the Lightning on Tuesday, the Blue Jackets will be without two more key players, though, in the return match. Defensemen Zach Werenski and Nick Blankenburg, who left that game vs. Tampa for a spell, are out tonight and for tomorrow's finale at Pittsburgh.
