The CBJ Writer

For all the action tonight I had to start this at the top of the third period.  No, I'm not kidding, so let's go!   Period 1 Yes, I also had to break this up by period, more so than normal.  At0:32 the Panthers would strike first from Marchment.  The, Reinhart would score too, at 3:23.  Also, remember Reinhart will come up a lot for the Panthers, remember that name.  2-0 Panthers, but all is not lost 5th Line, I promise.  At 4:20 we get a goal from Bayreuther.  His daughter was there tonight, as shared by Blue Jackets Twitter page, so it's nice when daddy scores!  2-1 Panthers.  11:38 the Panthers would have another goal, from Barkov.  Another goal from Reinhart, at 17:54.  This would make it 4-1 Panthers, but have no fear Laine is here!  19:52, just at the end of the period, the score is 4-2.   Injury Note:  Eric Robinson left after an odd hit, which was not called, I know.  Not long after landing oddly on his leg he was taken to the locker room.  As the second period bega

Carlsson is set to take Bean's place in the defenseman lineup.  Given the news we now know, regarding his injury, this could be the case for awhile if Carlsson does well.  Regarding Bean, we finally have news about his injury situation.  It isn't great, but could certainly be worse.  According to Jeff Svoboda, we can expect to see him out for the next month.  This time out will be to heal a groin strain.  I wish him the best, because that sounds truly painful.   The only other lineup change is that Brad Larson will rest Korpisalo tonight, meaning Merzlikins will protect the Blue Jackets goal.  I think this is a good move, maybe he can shake off the last meeting between the Panthers, and gain some redemption, tonight.  It will be different, as the Panthers must now perform on the road against us, rather than at home.  We'll see if they can at 7:00 PM EST Sources: Tweet From Jeff Svoboda:  " #CBJ Jake Bean update: The defenseman suffered a groin strain last night in Mon

In Period 1 the Canadians, by luck of a skate, netted the first goal.  This would be credited to Suzuki at 1:19.  After this it was all Blue Jackets, for the remainder of this period.  3:51 would be the time for a Laine goal.  This was followed by a Roslovic goal at 8:39.  Add on a goal from Robinson, at 10:11.  Followed by a 13:14 goal by Chinakhov.  If you do that math that adds up to a 4-1 Blue Jackets lead after just 1 period!   In the second period, only one goal would be scored.  It would come at the very end of the period, 19:19. from the Canadians.  The score would be credited to Lehkonen.  Still, a 4-2 Blue Jackets lead.   In Period 3, Lehkonen would score again at 6:55.  4-3 Blue Jackets lead.  Have no fear, Sillinger is here!  He would score, making the score 5-3.  The time of this goal was 9:58, almost exactly half way through the third period.  He then showed some great teamwork at the end of thee game.  He had an empty net before him, but instead of taking a shot, netting

The lines can always change before game time, however, who's in net is set.  Tonight we will watch Joonas Korpisalo protect the Blue Jackets net, against the Canadians, in Canada.  I wish him the very best of luck, however, I have every faith in him tonight.  He's improved greatly over his last few stars, and this has gained him some consistency in net.  Such helps any goaltender improve, and as he continues to gain more starts as a result, his improvement will only grow.  It's a great thing to see as the push for the playoffs really heats up!   Game start is 7"00 PM EST.   Go CBJ! Source is a Jeff Svoboda Tweet.  " Same 18 skaters for #CBJ tonight in Montreal, as well as Joonas Korpisalo in net."

Tweeted by   Canadiens Montréal and Retweeted by Jeff Svoboda Jeff Svoboda " Former #CBJ defenseman will miss tomorrow's game against the Jackets. He had been just one of two players to play in every game for the injury-ravaged Habs" Original Tweet: "Le défenseur David Savard est blessé à la cheville droite et sera absent pour huit semaines. Defenseman David Savard will miss eight weeks with an injury to his right ankle." Comments I sincerely wish Savard the best as he recovers from what sounds like a very serious ankle injury.  The Canadians have had a very rough season.  As I've said before in my posts, yes we've dropped some games, but there are other teams far worse off than ourselves.  This is a prime example of such.   Also, a reminder that tonight, as we play in Canada for the firs time in over a month, "pandemic hockey" has returned in the country.  This means, as stated in the Postgame show Thursday evening, that there will be no one

I understand this was released earlier today, however, I still see some fans questioning Texier's absence from the second and third Periods last night.  Today, we did gain an update, and it's what we expected but certainly not what we wanted to hear.  Texier will miss an estimated 4 weeks after a Flames player followed through with his stick, going for the puck, but also made harsh contact with Texier's hand.  This resulted in a fractured (broken) finger.   It's a big loss for this team.  In 36 games he's scored 11 goals, and 9 assists.  20 total points puts him among some of the highest, this season, for the Columbus Blue Jackets team.  In my mind, I feel he'll return just as strong as Domi did though.  Remember, just like Texier, he's suffered through Covid-19 infection and injury this season.  He is back now, showing he's happy to be back where he belongs, on the ice with his fellow teammates.  We can't wait to see the same for Texier, soon.  I wi

Let's go!  The Rangers opened the scoring in Period 1, with a former Blue Jacket scorer.  Panarin find the net just 1:29 into the game.  After this, his teammate, Goodrow, found the net at 4:44.  2-0 lead for the Rangers, but it wouldn't last.  Nyquist would soon tack on a goal for the home team, at 5:49, 2-1 Rangers.  Then, that Capta, our Captain, would find the net.  Jenner, at 7:28, would score the tying goal.  He is already up to 17 in his inaugural year.  Whereas Nyquist has now netted 11.  Very impressive.   In period 2, Kuraly would score again for the Blue Jackets.  This goal would come at 6:18.  Jenner would then flex those Captain mussels again, adding number 18 to his season's total.  This would come at 12:27.  No Ranger would score during this period, which in my mind is a huge improvement from last night's Defense nightmare.    In Period 3, the Rangers would find the net again, however.  This would come at 7:12, from Zibanejad.  At 17:46, Kuraly would agai

 Alright, I'm going to make this painful game simple, so we can focus on my thoughts afterward.   Period 1 Goal 1< Backlund at 4:21 Period 2 Goal 2< Mangiapane 15:14 Goal 3< Tkachuk 19:54 Period 3 Goal 4< Gaudreau 0:30 Goal 5< Gudbranson 6:55 Goal 6<  Thachuk  7:36 The final was a shutout in Nationwide Arena, for the Flames, 6-0.   Sadly a record was set tonight for the most attempts on a goal for Blue Jackets hockey.  Statistic sourced from Jeff Svoboda: "Calgary's 62 shots on goal are a #CBJ record for an opponent in a regular-season game. Previous high was 55 by Florida in 2014. Previous high allowed in Nationwide was 50 by San Jose in 2004.   Both of those were overtime games. " Okay, I know the first thing everyone is thinking, because my best friend asked me this question.  Why was Merzlikins left in net after a third goal in Period 3?  In my mind this is simple, the Rangers will play us in Nationwide Arena tomorrow night.  They're actu

In Period 1, in Nationwide Arena, the Senators would strike first.  At 7:59, Zub would score, giving the Senators a 1-0 lead.  It wouldn't last till the end of the period though, as Kuraly would score at 19:26.  We'd be at a 1-1 goal tie, at the end of our first 20 minutes.   It would take until 16:02 for that tie to be broken.  The score would be 2-1 at this point.  With a Period 3 of no score, from either team, this would be the final.  It's a narrow 2-1 victor, and 2 points, for the Senators.   Honestly, other than the mounting penalties, against the Blue Jackets, it was a good game for the team.  The Penalty Kill preformed well tonight.  Merzlikins made some incredibly tricky saves.  This is why the score was only a 1-goal difference.  It was a well played game, for both teams, both Offensively and Defensively.  Yes, it's a loss, but they don't need to hang their heads too low about this one.   Next game is at Nationwide Arena, but not until Wednesday, January 2

Tonight, the Senators come down from Canada to Nationwide Arena.  When they do they will meet a mostly full Blue Jackets roster.  Something Head Coach Brad Larson hasn't been able to say for awhile.  After the 5-2 loss, which simply got away from the team, having defenseman Gavrikov return will aid this team greatly.  In addition to him, the Offense will also gain some much needed help, as the young Sillinger also returns, tonight.  Both men had been out and under the NHL Covid-19 Protocols, so that makes this return all the more happy, in my opinion.   Brad Larson also reported that he will sit out tow Defenseman, both Carlsson and Christiansen.  He will also sit out Center, Bemstrom as well.  He also decided that Kukan, who recently returned from a broken wrist, which took him out for 2 months, will play tonight.  Good luck to him.   Again, with that unfortunate loss a few days ago, it's no surprise to also see Brad Larson announce that Merzlikins will hold the Blue Jackets n

A minor note regarding the Columbus Blue Jackets Taxi Squad.  As more men return from injury/NHL Covid Protocol, we expect this to happen.  This recognizable name may sting a bit though, as he returns to the AHL's Cleveland Monsters.  Liam Foudy, a Forward position player, is leaving the CBJ Taxi Squad behind, for now.  He was in Columbus for a few weeks, but rarely saw the ice.  It's sad, because he is a talented player.  Less teammate injury or illness, it would be nice to see him rejoin the team, at some point, soon.  Until then, I wish him the best of luck with his Monsters teammates!        Source:  Tweet by Columbus Blue Jackets, Retweeted by Jeff Svoboda " ROSTER UPDATE: The #CBJ have assigned F Liam Foudy to @monstershockey ."

In Period 1, Dumoulin would score for the Penguins just 0:32.  No worries, at 19:40 Nyquist would score for the Blue Jackets, evening the score at 1 goal each.  Jenner would then play his Captain way, and score at 18:46.  2-1 Blue Jackets.  Unfortunately, at 19:21 the Penguins would score again, by way of Crosby.  2-2 tie going into Period 2.  No goals would be found in that Period, so we jump to Period 3.   First, Matheson would score for the Penguins at 5:32.  Domi later on scored, but after a Penguin's challenge, the goal would be deemed no good due to "Off Sides".  Let me tell you, this was such a close call, and painful to see if you're a devoted 5th Line fan.  If that didn't hurt enough, the Crosby goal just rubbed salt in the wound at 13:32.  We just won't discuss the Crosby Hattrick at the end, which was an empty net.   You know I end my posts with the bright side.  So, what needs work?  The penalties need to END.  Also, the players must become more aw

 Period 1 tonight in Philadelphia would be a wash of great Defense, with no score.  Period 2 was a bit more eventful for the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Werenski scored, but the goal would be overturned.  However, at 11:53 Bjorkstrand would find the Flyers net, giving the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead.  Period 3 would again yield another Blue Jackets goal.  This time it would be Laine at 5:50, 2-0 Blue Jackets lead.  Flyers Mayhew would score at 12:40, making it a 2-1 Blue Jackets lead.  This lead would hold and the Blue Jackets win, 2-1 in Philadelphia!  (Sorry Atkinson, not sorry.  We do miss you, though!)  This is a great way to smooth over that 9-2 loss, which happened in Florida, and we'll never mention again after this!  2 points, and we're coming home! Elvis was solid, making up for his former start, blocking 33 of the 34 shots on the CBJ Goal.   The Blue Jackets will now hurry home, as the Penguins will come to Nationwide Arena, tomorrow evening.  Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM EST

Via Jeff Svoboda, Blue Jackets Picture We have an updated schedule 5th Line!  This covers all of the lost games during the planned 2022 Olympic Break.   January 2022 January 20th @ Flyers January 21st hone - Penguins January 23rd home- Senators January 26th home-  Flames January 27th home-  Rangers January 30th @ Canadians  January 31st home-  Panthers February 2022 February 8th @ Capitals  February 10th @ Sabres  February 15th @  Flames February 17 @  Blackhawks  February 20th home- Sabres February 22nt home-  Maple Leafs February 24th @ Panthers February 25th @ Hurricanes February 27th home-  Penguins  March 2022  March 1st home-  Devils March 4th home-  Kings March 5th home-  Bruins (Nash's 61 Scheduled for First Blue Jackets Retired Jersey!!!) March 7th home- Maple Leafs March 10th @ Islanders March 11th home-  Wild March 13th home-  Golden Knights March 16th @ Senators March 17th home-  Penguins March 19th home-  Blues March 22 @ Penguins  March25th @ Jets March 26th @ Wild Ma

This might be my shortest blog post, ever.  Below is the link for the updated guidelines which the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players Association have agreed upon, regarding Covid-19.  It includes testing recommendations moving forward, and how they will work prior to and after the 2022 NHL All-Star Game in Las Vegas.   I'm not going to paraphrase rules, so you can read them here from the NHL site directly<  https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-nhlpa-covid-19-protocol-update/c-329915682  This information is from NHL.com, posted to Twitter, and retweeted by Jeff Svoboda @JacketsInsider.

There is one minor change to the Blue Jackets Taxi Squad.  As of today, the team has sent Goaltender Jean-Francois Berube back up to his AHL Cleveland Monsters Team.  This is likely due to the return of Merzlikins.  With both Korpisalo and himself back, for now, the backup to the backup is no longer needed.  Fingers crossed these two men stay healthy now, and can gear up for the remainder of this 2021-22 NHL Season.  Good luck to Berube in the AHL.  Go CBJ!     Source CBJ Public Relations, and Retweeted by Jeff Svoboda:  " TRANSACTION: #CBJ have assigned goaltender Jean-Francois Berube from the club's taxi squad to @monstershockey ."    

Disagree with me all you like, but the Panther's are a better team, because they are more developed.  They have a solid Goaltender, so their welcome for Bobrovsky, who once was a Blue Jacket.  If we keep the grind, and work hard the next few years, we could be this good, soon.  It's just not going to happen overnight.  So, if you want to badmouth this team, their players or coaching, I suggest you search for another team.  It's about the grind to win, which makes the win all that much sweeter.  With that being said, let's recap this game.   Period 1 was all Panthers.  The first four goals Merzlikins was in net.  These goals were from Verhaeghe at 0:44, Huberdeau at 2:07, Weegar at 9:27 and Verhaeghe, again, at 13:28.  In this time Merzlikins has some great saves, and a couple of these goals were just simply lucky.  Again, the defense wasn't clicking tonight, as they did in Carolina, either.  Merzlikins was pulled at this point, and Korpisalo took over the net.  No o

There are not many changes to tonight's line up, as the Blue Jackets come off a 6-0 Shutout victory at the Hurricanes, Thursday.  Naturally, the man who produced that Shutout, Merzlikins, will again guard the net tonight.    Also, it was said earlier, by Jeff Svoboda, that nothing at all would change.  This statement sadly has.  Sillinger has been sidelined and placed on the Blue Jackets Covid Protocol List.  We hope to see him back soon.  If you are a fan of Liam Foudy however, you will get to see him play tonight.  I also wish him luck in his first Blue Jackets game of the season.  Last year he appeared in 24 games, he had no goals but 4 assists.   The Blue Jackets are currently 17-17-1 this 2021-22 NHL Season.  We're currently 5th in the Metropolitan Division, which is great considering we're lacking 7 games compared to several teams.  These games are set to be rescheduled during what would've been the 2022 Winter Olympics break. Even though the NHL is not participat

There is still a chance to make this season's Columbus Blue Jackets appearance in the NHL All-Star Game 2022 a two-man situation.  We found out Thursday, before the Blue Jackets beat the Hurricane 6-0, just saying, that Zach Werenski will be in the All-Star Game on February 4th.  However, currently there is another vote for the Last Man In.  You get to vote again, for one extra player in each of the 4 NHL Divisions.  For the Blue Jackets, Jake Voracek, who just played his 1,000th NHL career game, is still in the running!  This season he has appeared in 34 games, with 1 goal and 24 assists, giving him a 25 point total, so far, this season.  He should be an All-Star, I think, and the 5th Line can make that happen.  You get 10 votes a day, and it closes on January 17th, so hurry!   Remember, Blue Jackets are in Florida tonight, taking on Bobrovsky and the Panthers!  I'll have pre-game into tomorrow, and puck drop is at 6:00 PM EST.   Go CBJ! Voting Link Here<  https://www.nhl.c

In Period 1 there would be only 1 goal.  This came from Columbus Blue Jackets, Bemstrom, at 8:43.  it would take the Blue Jackets to a 1-0 in Carolina.   Period 2, again there would be only 1 goal.  Chinakhov would score at 11:56, and get the Blue Jackets up to a 2-0 lead.   Period 3 would just be amazing...for the Blue Jackets!  First, Laine would fine his 5th goal of the season at 4:26.  3-0 Blue Jackets.  Next, Chinakhov, again.  He would find the goal a second time, doubling his goal count for the season tonight.  He now has 4, and this one came at 5:03.  4-0 Blue Jackets lead.  5:33, the another young player would find the net.  Sillinger, at 5:33, would score his 6th goal of his first NHL Season.  5-0 Blue Jackets lead.  At this point there is a bit of a break for both teams, until Roslovic get's a sweet, breakaway goal.  This comes at 14:26.  6-0 Blue Jackets lead.  This would be your SHUTOUT final!   To say Elvis Merzlikins came back from injury ready, is a severe understat

The Blue Jackets have one player heading to the All-Star 2022 Game is Las Vegas!  He's a start to us all, no doubt, and I'm so happy to see Zach Werenski heading there for February 4th!  The Defenseman has played in 32 games this NHL season.  With 6 goals and 15 assists, he has a total of 21 points, so far.  A big congrats to #8!   The Mrtropolitan Team is as follows: Alexander Ovechkin- Capitals- Captain  Frederik Anderson- Hurricanes Sebastian Aho-  Hurricanes Zachary Werenski-  Blue Jackets Jack Huughes-  Devils Adam Pelech-  Islanders Adam Fox-  Rangers Chris Kreider-  Rangers Claude Giroux-  Flyers Tristan Jarry-  Penguins Congratulations to all nominees and those who will represent their teams!  (Especially Werenski though.) Source for list only-https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/33059921/nhl-all-star-game-rosters-revealed-some-big-names-omitted-amid-3-3-format    

It's a busy day, in some ways that's been a good thing, and in others not so much.  Blue Jackets lost another Forward to the Covid-19 Protocol List today.  This is sadly Jake Voracek, who just played his 1,000 NHL game, away in New Jersey, which resulted in the most recent win for the team.  In his most recent 5 games he's had 2 assists, both that night in New Jersey.  This season however, in 34 games, he's had 1 goal and 24 assists.  Needless to say, losing him to Covid-19 Protocol isn't good news ahead of playing the Hurricanes, tonight, at home.   In the realm of good news today, we did gain back a player from the Injury Reserve List, and just in time too.  With Voracek out, gaining back Texier is a saving grace, no doubt.  He'd been out at first for a Non-Covid-19 illness, but later on tested positive for the virus.  In his 30 games played this season, Texier has 11 goals and 8 assists.  Gaining that puck magic back, tonight, should be incredibly helpful to

Goal one went to Captain Bone Jenner, the time of the goal was 12:51.  Still, DeBrincat had something to say about that, as he scored for the Blackhawks at 13:16.  This would even the goals at 1-1 after Period 1.   Period 2 would go a long time without a score, however, when that score came the 5th Line wishes it weren't a score.  De Haan would score for the Blackhawks, the time was 15:10.  This would take the score to 2-1, Blackhawks.   In period 3, Murphy would add another goal, for the Blackhawks, at 6:36.  3-1 Blackhawks.  Nyquist would then try to ease the Blue Jacket's bleeding score, with a goal at 18:39.  However, after another Blackhawks goal, and empty net at 18:40, by DeBrincat, it would be over.  The final score, Blackhawks 4, Blue Jackets 2.   If you'd like a good spin, it wasn't a shutout, and the defense wasn't too terrible, but also wasn't the best I've seen.  However, the penalties were immense for the Blue Jackets, tonight.  Leaving yoursel

We have another player returning from the Columbus Blue Jackets Covid-19 Protocol List!  Bayreuther, who has currently appeared in 17 games during the 2021-22 NHL Season, and has scored 5 total points, all assists.  I look forward to the Defenseman's return, as he is greatly missed and needed.  One other update, via Jeff Svoboda, my favorite source.  Korpisalo will hold the Blue Jackets net, again, tonight.  However, his backup will finally be Merzlikins, who has been out with a lower body injury for over a week.  Again, very happy to see him back, and the starting Goaltending duo reunited.    Tonight the Blue Jackets host the Blackhawks, and I know many 5th Line fans were looking forward to seeing the return of long-time Blue Jacket, Seth Jones.  This will not happen.  It was just reported, and confirmed, that Jones has produced a positive test for the Covid-19 virus.  As such he has now been placed in Protocol for the Blackhawks, and removed from the roster, tonight.  I'll sa

If you're surprised, I'm right there with you.  Gregory Hofmann reportedly left the club, briefly, to sort out some personal matters.  However, the club was told today, by Hofmann, that he has no plans to return.   Quote from Kekalainen:  " Gregory was given permission by the club to step away for personal reasons and informed us today that because of those reasons he has decided not to return. Obviously, we are disappointed, but we have no other recourse than to suspend him." ( https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/columbus-blue-jackets-suspend-f-gregory-hofmann/c-329653294) It's a surprising turn of events for a Offensive player who had been in 24 total NHL games this season, with the Blue Jackets, and gifted the team with some incredible skill.  Out of 7 total points in this 2021-22 NHL season, Hofmann had 2 goals, with 5 memorable  assists.  Impressive, considering he'd never left the NLA after 11 seasons on the Hurricanes radar, prior to becoming a Blue Ja

We open the scoring tonight with a Blue Jackets goal, from Bjorkstrand, at 2:01.  This would be followed by a Captain's goal from Jenner, his would come at 4:03.  Unfortunately, the Devils would even the score up with a goal first from Hischier at 14:41, and then another from Mercer at 19:40.  The score would be tied at 2 goals each, heading into Period 2.   At 9:31, Chinakhov, the young rookie who missed a bit of practice this week, scored his first goal in weeks!  This was his second of the season, so good for him!  The Devils would again even the score thought at 13:32, by Studenic.  Again, we're tied, 3-3.   In Period 3, Bjorkstrand would find the net for the second time tonight.  This goal would come at 5:00 exactly.  Also, Voracek, who was honored for his 1,000 NHL game career tonight during game 1,001, had an assist on both Bjorkstrand goals tonight.  So, major night for him!  It's a 4-3 victory, CBJ over Devils, and Nationwide Arena is still a lucky home for this ho