You would presume the mood in Columbus would be optimistic as the Blue Jackets are poised to make the playoffs for a third consecutive season, but injuries to top-four defensemen Seth Jones (second-degree MCL sprain) and Ryan Murray (groin) have put a damper on the beginning of the season.
Jones is out four to six weeks, but there is a slight chance Murray could be ready to go against the Wings on Thursday.
Eventually Jones and Murray will return to solidify the blue line, however, the most disruptive issue for the Blue Jackets could be off the ice if superstars Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky cannot reach contract extensions with the club, which will make them unrestricted free agents on July 1.
Columbus is a well-balanced team with a spark plug in coach John Tortorella. Despite the injuries and the contract uncertainties surrounding the team, the Blue Jackets will provide a very good test on Thursday for a retooling Wings team.
The Skinny:
The Blue Jackets finished 45-30-7 last season, good for 97 points, which was fourth overall in the Metropolitan Division and earned them a wild card berth in the playoffs. They were eliminated in the first round in six games by the eventual Stanley Cup-champion Washington Capitals. Columbus averaged 2.88 goals per game last season, which was 17th overall in the NHL. Defensively, they gave up 2.76 goals per game, which ranked ninth in the league. In one-goal games, the Blue Jackets were 23-7-7 for a winning percentage of .716.
The last time:
On April 3, 2018 in Columbus, the Blue Jackets defeated the Red Wings, 5-4, in overtime. At 2:55 in OT, center Pierre-Luc Dubois scored the game winner with Murray and Oliver Bjorkstrand notching the assists. Tyler Bertuzzi's two goals and captain Henrik Zetterberg's three helpers paced Detroit's offensive attack. The Wings were 0-1-2 versus Columbus last season, losing in regulation, overtime and a shootout.
The forward corps:
Panarin, at left wing, is one of the best forwards in the NHL setting a franchise record last season with 82 points, including 27 goals and five game-winning goals. Dubois (20-28-48) and right wing Cam Atkinson (24-22-46), along with Panarin, make up the Blue Jackets' formidable first line. Bjorkstrand (11-29-40), Alexander Wennberg (8-27-35) and Nick Foligno (15-18-33) make up what is loosely being referred to as the Blue Jackets' second line. Former Boston Bruins forward Riley Nash (15-26- 41) signed a three-year, $8.25 million deal with Columbus on July 1 when he became an unrestricted free agent. Nash is slated to anchor the Jackets' third line.
The blue line:
Jones (16-41-57) is potentially a future Norris Trophy winner and he'll be missed, but they also have Grosse Pointe-born and former Michigan standout Zach Werenski (16-21-37), a star in his own right. Werenski, who had offseason shoulder surgery but appears to be fully recovered and will suit up against the Red Wings, is more than capable of holding down the fort until Jones is healthy. Murray, if his health holds up, and David Savard give Columbus a very talented core on the back end.
The net:
Bobrovsky, more than any other player, is the reason the Columbus franchise has turned around. Since he was traded by the Philadelphia Flyers to the Blue Jackets in June 2012, he has emerged as one of the NHL's elite goaltenders. Last season, he was 37-22-6 with a 2.42 goals-against average, .921 save percentage and five shutouts. He has won the Vezina Trophy twice (2012-13 and 2016-17). Joonas Korpisalo (8-8-1, 3.32 GAA, .897 SV%), is the backup netminder.
The burning question:
Will the Blue Jackets be forced to move Panarin and Bobrovsky at the trade deadline if their contract situations cannot be resolved, or do they hold firm and risk losing the pair to free agency this summer and get nothing in return?
The series:
Thursday will be the 90th meeting between the Red Wings and the Blue Jackets with the Wings leading the series, 54-23-1-11. In Detroit, the Wings are 29-8-0-6 and in Columbus, the Wings' record is 25-15-1-5.
