The CBJ Writer

No bad luck here, 5th Line!  All the moments tonight 5th line, my goodness!  It was good to see Josh Anderson and David Savard back in Nationwide Arena, no doubt.  Also, can you believe it's already Patrik Laine's 100th Game with our Columbus Blue Jackets?  That went so fast, much like how it's impossible to believe tonight was also Zach Werenski's 400th with his one and only NHL Team.  All of this and we're still not done!  Tonight was also Kent Johnson, #13, and Nick Blankenburg's, #77, very first NHL Game.  A huge welcome to them both!  Not to mention a Columbus Blue Jackets Birthday, that of Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins.  Happy birthday, again, to him.  Now, into a momentous game we go!   Remember Hattrick Roslovic from the Detroit game, where he scored 2 and then the winner to complete such an amazing achievement, one he never had as a Blue Jacket?  Yeah, him?  He's still hot 5th Line!  The first goal tonight...

It seems fitting that #13's first game will take place on April 13, 2022 right?  As I said yesterday, since his spot in the lineup, with Justin Danforth and Oliver Bjorkstrand has been consistent both days of practice, I'd look for him there 5th Line!  Here's hoping that a work visa situation, the only reason he'd likely not play tonight, works out for the best.  Like you I can't wait to see this young man play in a Columbus Blue Jackets Jersey.   Based off his advancement through practice the last two days, I feel Nick Blankenburg showed up ready to play in the NHL and for the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Remember, day one of practice he skated alongside Dean Kukan.  Yesterday though he got bumped up in the lineup, skating alongside Jake Bean.  In my mind he could be with either of these men, or maybe even someone else.  My advice, just keep an eye out for #77!   Bonus good news, one of our Assistant Coaches, that of Kenny McCudden, has...

Via the eyes of Jeff Svoboda, @JacketsIndiser, and Dylan Tryer, I can inform you all that Nick Blankenburg must be showing the Columbus Blue Jackets some skill.  Being the former University of Michigan Captain, with the point streak he had this season, I'm not surprised.  However, yesterday he started with Dean Kukan, a notable spot for having jumped from College into the NHL.  One day later he's found himself skating, in practice, with Jake Bean.  Talk about moving up the chain of command, fast!  Now yes, this could be Head Coach Brad Larson seeing best where to place him for the best result.  Still though, to feel he might do best alongside Bean is a complement in itself, I think.  Remember, he has an Entry Level Contract through just this 2021-22 NHL Season.  In my mind though, if he's showing this much potential, so long as he can show such in a game, I think we'll see Mr. Blankenburg back next season. Speaking of games, it's been a while and ...

Today, our brand new University of Michigan NHL players took to the ice for their first practice, then to the podium for their first Columbus Blue Jackets Media Interviews.   This blog post is devoted to the second player to speak today, former University of Michigan Hockey Captain, Nick Blankenburg! "Happy to be here and thankful to be out there."  Is what Blankenburg said regarding his first practice today with the Columbus Blue Jackets team.  This was the end of his reply to Jeff Svoboda's question asking about how the day went.  In his full answer though, this line stood out most to me.   When asked "what this was like for him" by another female reporter, his response started out with "for any kid it's a dream come true".  I think that sums his joy of being here up nicely.  He went on to mention how great it was that his first time watching the Columbus Blue Jackets was against his home team, the Detroit Red Wings.  He mentioned that...

Alright 5th Line, as promised I did a post for the first practice of Kent Johnson.  The team let Johnson talk a long time and he shared a lot of great things  So, Blankenburg's first Media Day will be in another post.  Now, it's time to dive into their first media day as Columbus Blue Jackets!  Let's do this. First up at 49:33 into the live broadcast video was Kent Johnson.  Also, I'm watching this on the Columbus Blue Jackets Official Twitter Page.  It happened 4ish hours ago, so we're looking around 1:00 PM today, April 11, 2022.  I say all of this so you know what I'm sourcing this information from, as to give credit to the video for my information.  Moving on to the interview itself.  He "felt better as practice went on" Johnson mentioned first regarding a question about how it felt to be "on NHL ice".  I believe this question came from our own Jeff Svoboda, too.  It sounded like him anyway!   In another question, from...

Let's start with how Head Coach Brad Larson fit these two young players into today's practice lineup.  Yes, the two also spoke with the media today, however I'll be posting that in a separate blog.  I want to make this day easy to read and understand, hence my point of doing two separate posts.  According to Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider on Twitter), these were the lines today on April 11, 2022.  Following the list is my input as to why these placements, for both Johnson and Blankenburg, are a good fit in my mind.    " #CBJ lines Nyquist-Roslovic-Laine Johnson-Danforth-Bjorkstrand Voracek-Sillinger-Bemstrom Robinson-Gaunce-Meyer Werenski-Peeke Gavrikov-Boqvist Christiansen-Bean Kukan-Blankenburg  Bayreuther-Carlsson" I like the line Johnson is starting on first of all.  Danforth has been hot lately, Bjorkstrand also.  He can add to that line while also learning from it.  It will be a good starting point for him, for these reason alone....

Tonight wound up being a beyond expected, special night for Columbus Blue Jackets Jack Roslovic.  Not only would tonight be his 300th career NHL game, but he'd also have the 1st and only goal in the 1st period!  It would come at 13:14.  Aft first it was said to be unassisted, but that changed according to the NHL App.  Werenski would come out with the lone assist on this goal.  As I said, this was the only goal of the period, thus a 1-0 Blue Jackets lead after Period 1.   Period 2 I'd leave to go eat a couple beef fajitas and miss 3 goals in 1 period!  The first would come from Red Wings Vrana at 13:41.  This would be followed by another Red Wings goal of Gagner's at 17:21.  This would give the Red Wings their first lead of the game, but it wasn't meant to last long.  At 18:01 Sillinger would connect with Werenski and Voracek, making it 2-2 after Period 2.  It is worth mentioning that the Red Wings did score early into this per...